The Company remembers Nettleford
Published:Sunday | October 31, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter
Celebrating its 22nd season of dance, the Company Dance Theatre will, like others before it this year, be paying homage to national icon the late Professor Rex Nettleford.
Under the theme 'Rooted ... in the Spirit: Escape into theatrical legacy!', the event will be staged on November 13 and 14 at the Little Theatre in St Andrew.
Colin Blackwood, the executive director of the company, said Nettleford would be honoured because of his work and close ties to the organisation.
"What makes this 22nd season unique from our past shows is that it pays homage to Professor Rex Nettleford, who was well known for his artistic influence in Jamaica, the Caribbean and for exposing Caribbean performing arts to the world," said Blackwood.
Good relationship
He explained that Nettleford had a good relationship with the Company Dance Theatre, as it "is part of the lineage of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) which was founded and remained under the artistic direction of Professor Rex Nettleford since its inception until he passed away earlier this year".
The company was founded by Tony Wilson, who was formerly the principal dancer at NDTC. There, he spent many years under the tutelage of Nettleford before he went to The Ailey School in New York.
"It is only fitting that we pay homage to Prof Rex Nettleford for all the artistic legacy that he bequeathed to the many dance companies in Jamaica," Blackwood told The Sunday Gleaner, noting that the company was one of Nettleford's many 'grandchildren'.
The theme of the event was also chosen to reflect the relationship the dance icon had on the Company Dance Theatre.
"The year's theme reinforces that though Prof Rex Nettleford has passed on, we (at Company Dance Theatre) remain rooted in [his] spirit for many generations to come. The company's existence for the past 23 years stands testament to this theme, and we will continue to forge ahead to protect and strengthen
In February, Nettleford, who was vice-chancellor emeritus of the University of the West Indies and founder of NDTC, died hours before his 77th birthday. He passed away at George Washington Hospital in Washington, DC, one week after suffering a heart attack at a hotel in the United States capital.
Each of the shows in November will run for approximately two hours. On November 13, it will begin at 8 p.m., and 5:30 the following day.
With 21 dancers on hand, there will be various dance pieces by artistic director Tony Wilson; choreographer and artistic director of Ashe Performing Arts Company, Michael Holgate; renowned Jamaican choreographer and dancer in London's Fela! cast, Shelley Maxwell; and renowned European teacher and choreographer Denzil Bailey from English National Ballet.
"Patrons can expect an eclectic show filled with abstract, as well as dramatic modern, post-modern, contemporary ballet and folk
Different forms
"The shows over the years have taken different forms. The Company Dance Theatre is well known for its full-length ballets. These included 'Breaking the Mirror', 'Red City' and 'Rose Hall'. In other years, the company showcased standard pieces from various choreographers, which included new dances, as well as remarkable pieces from its
Even more growth is expected as Blackwood says the company's aim is to tour other countries and share Jamaican dance with the rest of the world. However, he said some level of help is needed to make this possible.
"In order for these dreams to materialise, like all other companies in the performing arts, this will require much corporate and government support," he said.
"We are also planning to conduct active fund-raising initiatives that will help to promote dancing as a viable art form across different demographic groups," added Blackwood.
Dancers Alistair Graphine and Shari Jackson from The Company Dance Theatre perform a duet from the piece 'Ways of Love' that was choreographed by Marlon Simms. - Contributed