Performances

Sid's Waltzing Masquerade

8 October 2008 — 5 September 2009

Overview

Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade was created for Sydney Dance Company by Canadian born guest choreographer Aszure Barton in 2008. The world premiere of Sid’s, Barton’s Australian choreographic debut, took place at Carriageworks, Sydney, on 8 October 2008.

Described by the New York dance fraternity as perhaps the most innovative choreographer of her generation, Aszure Barton’s work has attracted the patronage of dancing great Mikhail Baryshnikov, resulting in her Artist in Residence status at the Baryshnikov Arts Centre and choreographic commissions from his touring company, Hell’s Kitchen Dance.

In program notes, Barton described Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade as ‘a result of the impact that the dancers, collaborators and the country’ made on her during the six weeks she spent in Australia creating the work. ‘I am fascinated with the history, inner life and eccentricities of the artists. My goal was to create a world based on them, as individuals and as a family.’

The creative team for Sid’s included Barton’s collaborative assistant Ian Robinson, who also danced in the premiere season, set designer Gerard Manion, costume designer Michelle Jank, lighting designer Trudy Dalgleish and sound designer George Gorga. Barton’s musical arrangement for the work incorporated an eclectic mix that ranges from Beethoven to Rolf Harris and includes a spoken and musical rendition of Waltzing Matilda.

Performance History

Carriageworks, Sydney
8-25 October, 2008

QPAC, Brisbane
5-15 November, 2008

Newcastle Civic Theatre
21-22 August, 2009

Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre 
2-5 September, 2009

Creatives

Choreography & Direction
Aszure Barton

Collaborative Assistant
Ian Robinson

Set Design
Gerard Manion

Costume Design
Michelle Jank

Lighting Design
Trudy Dalgleish

Musical Arrangement
Aszure Barton

Sound Design
George Gorga

Cast
Bradley Chatfield, Chylie Cooper, Emmie Dillon, Connor Dowling, Annabel Knight, Johanna Lee, Teagan Lowe, Reed Luplau, Rani Luther, Veronica Mahon, Ian Robinson, Simon Turner, Kalman Warhaft, Chen Wen, Jason Wilcock, Angus Woodyard

Media

“As one would expect from a company of the stature of SDC the piece is strong and intriguing, flows beautifully and is, quite simply breathtaking.” – ABC Brisbane 

“Barton is clearly brilliant.” – San Francisco Chronicle

“I thought that the audience was going to explode from their seats. Aszure Barton where have you been? The art of choreography needs you.” – Village Voice

“Aszure Barton’s work is something else entirely: a rare instance of dance that feels as if it were plucked straight from the choreographer’s extremely specific imagination and set, full-grown, onstage.” – The New York Times

“Barton creates moments of genuine emotional resonance. To say that she is worth watching would be something of an understatement.” – VoiceofDance.com

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Overview

Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade was created for Sydney Dance Company by Canadian born guest choreographer Aszure Barton in 2008. The world premiere of Sid’s, Barton’s Australian choreographic debut, took place at Carriageworks, Sydney, on 8 October 2008.

Described by the New York dance fraternity as perhaps the most innovative choreographer of her generation, Aszure Barton’s work has attracted the patronage of dancing great Mikhail Baryshnikov, resulting in her Artist in Residence status at the Baryshnikov Arts Centre and choreographic commissions from his touring company, Hell’s Kitchen Dance.

In program notes, Barton described Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade as ‘a result of the impact that the dancers, collaborators and the country’ made on her during the six weeks she spent in Australia creating the work. ‘I am fascinated with the history, inner life and eccentricities of the artists. My goal was to create a world based on them, as individuals and as a family.’

The creative team for Sid’s included Barton’s collaborative assistant Ian Robinson, who also danced in the premiere season, set designer Gerard Manion, costume designer Michelle Jank, lighting designer Trudy Dalgleish and sound designer George Gorga. Barton’s musical arrangement for the work incorporated an eclectic mix that ranges from Beethoven to Rolf Harris and includes a spoken and musical rendition of Waltzing Matilda.

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Performance History

Carriageworks, Sydney
8-25 October, 2008

QPAC, Brisbane
5-15 November, 2008

Newcastle Civic Theatre
21-22 August, 2009

Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre 
2-5 September, 2009

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Creatives

Choreography & Direction
Aszure Barton

Collaborative Assistant
Ian Robinson

Set Design
Gerard Manion

Costume Design
Michelle Jank

Lighting Design
Trudy Dalgleish

Musical Arrangement
Aszure Barton

Sound Design
George Gorga

Cast
Bradley Chatfield, Chylie Cooper, Emmie Dillon, Connor Dowling, Annabel Knight, Johanna Lee, Teagan Lowe, Reed Luplau, Rani Luther, Veronica Mahon, Ian Robinson, Simon Turner, Kalman Warhaft, Chen Wen, Jason Wilcock, Angus Woodyard

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Media

“As one would expect from a company of the stature of SDC the piece is strong and intriguing, flows beautifully and is, quite simply breathtaking.” – ABC Brisbane 

“Barton is clearly brilliant.” – San Francisco Chronicle

“I thought that the audience was going to explode from their seats. Aszure Barton where have you been? The art of choreography needs you.” – Village Voice

“Aszure Barton’s work is something else entirely: a rare instance of dance that feels as if it were plucked straight from the choreographer’s extremely specific imagination and set, full-grown, onstage.” – The New York Times

“Barton creates moments of genuine emotional resonance. To say that she is worth watching would be something of an understatement.” – VoiceofDance.com

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