A total elation swooped through me whenever I got a chance to watch a show in Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House, this time from Shizreen on behalf of the Asia Ballet Academy, Asia Ballet Theatre and Kenny Shim Dance Collective (KSDC), who put out an elaborate choreography, with savvy technology, on a topic that is very close to everyone – the COVID-19 pandemic.
The last time I was at the Opera House, I enjoyed the vibrant Drum Up JB performance back in March 2023. Having a contemporary arts show arrive in town again, is definitely exciting for me and my fellow friends, – whom, if you must know, are experiencing both ballet and modern arts performances for the first time ever – A chance that we shall not miss!
Seated for the 3 p.m. show, we were greeted by a gigantic, circular installation in the middle of the stage. An LCD backdrop, blaring PSYCHOSYNTHESIS on Tour, complete with a QR code for the audience to pick up an idea from the multi-nomination and award-winning choreographer, Kenny Shim, notes.
Quoting the notes, the installation that we see on stage is called ‘The SPHERE’ and it is an innovative lighting structure composed of numerous LED light tubes.
“The SPHERE serves as a symbolic representation within PSYCHOSYNTHESIS. It embodies the structural aspects of the virus, mental turmoil, emotions, and the unity of humanity,” it said. I took a good look at the UFO-like installment and shivered as I recalled the virus’s microscopic graphics that were everywhere to accompany news articles about COVID-19 just a few years ago.
The hall went pitch dark after the reminders for the audience to be mindful of their mobile phones use during the play. The red light and over 20 dancers just appeared abruptly, with their backs facing us. Knowing the theme is the pandemic, it made sense to me that the gap between the first news of the global case and the ones on our own shore was so abrupt, just like how the play started its introduction.
The choreographer’s notes did mention that the pandemic’s factual and scientific realities are mixed with themes of mental anguish and emotional turmoil, such as loneliness and a loss of human connection. There is a profound relationship between the coronavirus cell’s spherical structure and the changes in brain chemistry that occur from isolation.
In Act 1, The Factual Arch, we get to see how the factual truths about the COVID-19 were conveyed through the dance moves. I got to pique my brain in deciphering an artistic, conceptual stage like PSYCHOSYNTHESIS On Tour, but one ongoing gesture the pinched fingers the dancers did the whole time was understandably to represent the spike protein surrounding the COVID-19, and dancers connected using this gesture.
The stage lights were blinking red, and there was a TV static on the huge LED panel, which reminded me so much of media consumption to get new updates that it was almost always devastating, and it affected our mood, just like how the static audio sounds like – depressing.
During the 15 minutes intermission, almost all spectators immediately discussed among themselves about the first act. It created so many interpretations that even strangers got to nod, hearing each other’s understandings.
In Act 2, The Narrative Arch, according to the choreography notes, is exploring the ‘what if’ scenarios, moving away from the facts and truths that were shown in the first act.
“Act 2 begins in an apocalyptic atmosphere, showcasing a dystopian world where human interaction is mechanical,” the choreographer’s notes mentioned.
And just like that, we see the crushing world of the possibilities of not getting to defeat the virus. One part where I was made aware of this was when the stage was illuminated with bright yellow, almost orange-ish lights, which instantly made me recall the dystopian world where everything is flattened like the desert.
Closing to the end of the show, a different mood was set to show humanity, unity, and kindness, something that I wish people could catch by watching them live and find their conclusion. All I know is that as I exited the depths of PSYCHOSYNTHESIS on Tour, I continuously became amazed at how strong a human’s will is, as well as the ability to bend and balance like the dancers were showcasing.
An immense sense of pride rushed through me when I came to learn that the fantastic stage executing flares of lighting, the music that accompanies the sleek movements of the dancers, and the whole multimedia that came together to unwrap its concoction of wonders served right before our eyes are fully made of local talents!
Asia Ballet Academy and Asia Ballet Theatre, with their mission to ensure that ballet takes its rightful place in every Malaysian hearts, are working to expand their potential abroad. I wish, more of us in Malaysia could first get to experience their arts before they are shipped to the world, so we can keep our bragging rights!
More to come from Asia Ballet Academy and Asia Ballet Theatre, you can find them on their website www.asiaballetacademy.com or on social media at @asiaballet.theatre and @asiaballetacademy.
