Dance Review: Ensemble Sigma

Cross influences were evident in a way benefited the result by strengthening the cohesive and interrelated artistic card offered by the group.

By ORA BRAFMAN
dance review 88 (photo credit: )
dance review 88
(photo credit: )
Ensemble Sigma Wysiwyg Haifa Theater February 5 "What you see is what you get, or in short - Wysiwyg," says Michael Miller, choreographer and artistic director of this young, fragile dance ensemble, taking its first steps toward recognition. Against all odds, there is plenty of promise, talent and serious artistic intent to be seen. The group performed on the smaller stage of Haifa Theater, a reasonable venue that seats 150 and suits very intimate performances of modest space needs. This ensemble, which already includes eight dancers, is ready for more professional conditions, like lighting, costumes and room to move. Unfortunately, the chance to get support for that in Haifa is almost zero, so now it aims the Suzanne Dellal way. The evening was composed of four pieces, two by Miller, one by dancer Shay Faran and Wysiwyg, which opened the performance, was credited to both. Cross influences were evident later, and in a way benefited the result by strengthening the cohesive and interrelated artistic card offered by the group. The stronger pieces, however, were the solo Infimum and Entropy for five dancers by Miller, which convey clear, consistent contemporary vocabulary with conviction, tenacity and artistic integrity - which were very impressive. It was a pleasure to see Faran dance solo in Infimum, set to Steve Reich's Violin Phase, and later in two group pieces including her own Lacrimosa, set to Vivaldi's Stabat Mater. She is a good dancer and in the ensemble has several other dancers she can rely on. Miller's ongoing curiosity about movement in space and its relations with changing formats, direction, fragmentation and reassembling matters triggered spatially elaborate, complex forms that were a pleasure to follow. The Ensemble Sigma will perform at Suzanne Dellal on March 19 and 20.