By: Kaylie Moore
Ballet BC’s two-piece performance of Frontier and Passing is a spellbinding showcase of technical mastery, emotional depth and finesse. The performances explored human connection, our consciousness and unconsciousness and how easy it is to become what is around us through bold and beautiful movement.
Presented in collaboration with Dance Consortium – an organisation dedicated to making dance more accessible to audiences across the UK – this production not only offered unforgettable performances but also provides enriching opportunities for audiences to engage more deeply through post-show talks and behind-the-scenes access.
With 28 dancers (24 from Ballet BC and four students from Rambert) guided by the authentic artistic articulation of Medhi Walerski, the evening offered two contrasting yet thematically connected pieces exploring humanity, companionship, and the complexities of our inner lives.
As with all great art, interpretation is personal. For me, the measure of its success lies in whether it resonates and keeps me engaged and this did. I was captivated not just by the beauty of the movement, but by the skill, emotion, and storytelling conveyed through dance. Though I didn’t always grasp the literal narrative, I relished the space to create my own narrative and interpretation, making the experience all the more powerful.
Frontier
Choreography: Crystal Pite
A minimalist yet impactful set and striking costumes designed by Nancy Bryant set the tone for Frontier. Dancers were dressed in stark all-dark or all-pale, with the progression of the piece subtly shifting the visual balance, less white, more black, invoking a suggestion of integration rather than conflict.
The piece begins with light struggling against darkness and ends with the light integrated into the dark with harmony; soft, intertwined, and united. It evokes a journey through consciousness and unconsciousness, where our shadow selves are no longer hidden or feared, but embraced as part of our identity. The choreography seems to speak to the evolution of the self, from fragmentation and fear to wholeness and acceptance.
Tom Visser’s lighting design was masterful. The interplay of light and shadow didn’t just illuminate the stage – it guided the audience’s eye, highlighting vulnerability and intensity in perfect synchrony with Owen Belton’s musical scoring. Together, the music and lighting didn’t just accompany the movement; they enhanced every move.
Passing
Choreography: Johan Inger
In stark contrast, Passing bursts with colour and warmth before gradually shifting to a more subdued, intimate tone. Linda Chow’s costume design reflects this emotional journey – from vibrant to nude tones yet always managing to retain a sense of warmth and humanity.
The piece begins with a mirror image: women on one side, men on the other, as they shake ashes in a pattern before bumping into each other. A humorous take on birth introduces us to the dancers, who then embark on a poignant exploration of life’s journey – love, laughter, loss, and companionship. A standout moment was a 10-minute solo vocal performance, sung in Latin and Swedish and laden with emotion, which brought extraordinary texture to the choreography. Remarkably, the dancer delivered this dramatic vocal while continuing to dance, seamlessly transitioning between grounded floorwork and airborne sequences.
As the piece came towards the end rain gently falling from above amplified the delicacy of the piece, and the final stages snow fell, in contrast to the earlier black ashes, which was both visually striking and emotionally resonant. Passing offers a deeply human portrayal of our shared experiences, allowing each dancer’s individuality and personality to shine through.
Although Frontier and Passing differ in tone and aesthetic, they are united in their exploration of the conscious and unconscious self. Both pieces invite reflection, stir the imagination, and evoke deep emotion — offering each audience member the freedom to interpret their own story. Time seems to dissolve as you’re swept away by the sheer beauty and technical mastery of the dancers. And while each work carries thematic depth and layered meaning, they can just as easily be enjoyed for the pure artistry and visual poetry they present on stage.
Ballet BC continues to demonstrate that contemporary ballet can be both intellectually rich and emotionally stirring. This production was a triumph – one that left me inspired, moved, and in awe of the dancers’ artistry.
A must-see performance.