In The Dark (2010)

2010, Solo performance

Je suis l’espace où je suis
I am the space where I am
(Noël Arnaud)

My solo adaptation of Deborah Hay’s In the Dark casts light upon some mysterious, little known spaces of my own human existence. There is a wonderful perceptual spaciousness awaiting my engagement, something for which Hay has given many keys. My challenge is to audaciously enter in. (Fiona’s original program notes)

In March 2010 Fiona was one of ten Australian artists selected from nearly 50 applicants to participate in the Deborah Hay Solo Performance Project at Bundanon Artists Residence in NSW. Artists were selected by internationally renowned dancer/choreographer, Deborah Hay, with the assistance of local dance luminary Ros Warby, who also assisted during the 10-day intensive. The intensive was followed by a daily practice over 3 months, which included periodic coaching by Ros Warby – a process unique to this particular Deborah Hay project – in preparation for presenting the solos in this public performance season.

Season

(Dancehouse, Melbourne) 2010

Artists

Deborah Hay (Direction and Choreography)
Fiona Bryant (Adaptation and Performance)
Coaching (Ros Warby)
Gwen Holmberg-Gilchrist (Production Management and Lighting Designs)

Reviews

“…One had the strong feeling that she had no idea what was coming, that the horizon of oncoming movement was completely obscure. This is an incredible thing to sustain on stage with a pile of people staring at you. There was no ostentation in Bryant’s performance, no flourish, no demonstration of resident technique nor impressive gesture. She had the courage to simply stick to whatever was required from moment to moment. As a result, we saw a modest range of activities, lacking in pattern, eschewing recognition, jumping across the void again and again.” Philipa Rothfield, RealTime Arts
“On opening night, Bryant appeared on stage in boots, stockings and a plaid jumpsuit, stomping about like a child jumping puddles in gumboots, a drunken vagrant and an old bag lady. Suddenly she was a marionette whose master was hiccuping at the strings; later, a precocious, garbling toddler awaiting distraction…” Liza Power, The Age

http://www.realtimearts.net/article/98/9939

http://www.dancehouse.com.au/performance/performancedetails.php?id=82

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/dance/in-the-dark-20100621-ys6q.html