Pushing physical boundaries

DANCERS are fast becoming double threats on stage - given that dance now requires a fair bit of acting at the same time. From school-going teenagers to a transgender comedian, the three works presented at the Asian Festivals Exchange (AFX) segment of the M1 Contemporary Dance Festival this week showed how dance can also engage with daily life issues - besides looking good on stage.

The AFX showcases cross-border collaborations. T.H.E. Dance Company's Second Company collaborated with choreographers from the renowned Yokohama and Seoul Dance Collections and Malaysia's DPAC Dance Company, and they had a series of residencies in Singapore and Malaysia before their presentation.

The performances were well rehearsed and choreography was tight, dwelling on a range of "stories". I See Skies of Blue by Wong Jyh Shyong, featuring T.H.E. Second Company and DPAC Malaysia dancers, offers a youthful feel, with commendable dramatisation to boot, in their portrayal of teenage angst and collegiate relationships in school.