'Harmony' comes to the fore

• Wolmer's Dance Troupe season , well put together

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

From the opening dance, 'Moments', it was clear that the Barbara McDaniel-led Wolmer's Dance Troupe's 21st season was not just using the word 'Harmony' for the beautiful way that it rolls off the tongue, but as the thread that interwove its way into props, costumes, movements and the combined works of choreographers.

There were six guest choreographers - Ghana Hyatt-Samuda, Terry Hall, Natalie Nash, Chelsi Cotterell, Abbigayle Rambaran and Kristen Deacon. Their works were either presented in conjunction with McDaniel, the artistic director, or as individual dances.

'Harmony' was first introduced in 'Moments', with the combined effort of McDaniel and Hall.

Hall's choreography of the first movement got the show and the harmony flowing. Wearing a cheerful shade of pink, the senior dancers were given enough vocabulary to set the tone for what turned out to be an evening of spectacular forms and shapes. As the dance flowed on the Little Theatre stage, some dancers displayed large flash cards that spelt the word Harmony. Others moved in a circular formation showing cards depicting words such as peace, friendship and joy, perhaps to say this is how harmony will be achieved.

The first movement segued into McDaniel's choreography, second movement. The dancers were the groups of tiny tots, juniors and intermediates. Their entrance took the opening number up a notch. There was more energy and a display of beautiful colour coordination matched by some delightful dance steps to music from Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.

The dances 'Hope' and 'Raving' also saw McDaniel harmonising with other choreographers. In 'Raving', McDaniel made the connection with three of her senior dancers. All four choreographers produced an exceedingly entertaining dance.

When the curtains opened for 'Raving', they revealed a symbolic dancehall setting. Jair Jones, the lone male in the troupe, was at what appeared to be a bar, while the females performed some of the movements of the genre. That was the first movement choreographed by Cotterell. But when McDaniel's creation, executed by the tiny tots, emerged, they literally and figuratively sent their older counterparts upstage centre, pouting.

But in tune to the theme of the show, harmony returned to the session. This came in the third movement, choreographed by Deacon and Rambaran. All the groups were costumed in yellow shorts and tops with yellow head bands.

'Hope' not only brought the curtains down on the show, it was the only dance from the gospel genre.

There were six movements. The first, third, fifth and sixth movements came from McDaniel, while Nash and Hyatt-Samuda wrote the harmony for the remaining two.

The dance was further enhanced by a beautiful backdrop created from pieces of fabric draped from top to bottom at the back of the stage. These were reinforced by three crosses hung upstage left.

The set also complemented the long flowing white skirts and leotards worn by the dancers.

The choreography for five of the movements were in harmony with the song selections and were delightfully performed with grace and passion, even when the dancers came through the audience.

However, Hyatt-Samuda was not able to get the senior dancers to capture the passion of her song selection. It was easier to focus on the passion generated from the singer's voice than the dance itself.

The other dances, 'Labours in China', 'Solid Poise', 'Picture Us', 'The Lateness of the Hour', 'Bailamos' and 'Mind Control', were also nicely choreographed, brilliantly executed and colourfully costumed.

Of the lot, the Nash-choreographed 'Mind Control' must be mentioned.

Performed by Gabrielle Waite and Jones, it was the only duet on the programme.

The dance was very engaging, a little edgy towards the end, but just as importantly managed to keep the large audience, predominantly made up of teenagers, quiet for its duration.

The occasion also included performances from a group of four drummers and a song from Justine Rookwood, a member of the dance troupe. Paula-Ann Porter-Jones was the evening's announcer.