Queensland Ballet’s latest provocative production is set to premiere next month, adapting the music of a pop star that’s uniquely suited to the dance medium: Sia. “Elastic Hearts” is inspired by the singer’s 2015 song “Elastic Heart” but will feature a wider mix of the artist’s music.
Not only that, the soundtrack will come in the form of new orchestral arrangements by Elliot Wheeler and recorded by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. The dance element is choreographed and directed by Garry Stewart, with assistance from Daniel Jaber. The rest of the creative team bringing it to life includes set and costume designer Charles Davies, lighting designer Alexander Berlage and dramaturg Lou Cope.
The visually stunning production is billed as a sensory journey through nature, creativity and resilience, centred around a ‘Gaia’ figure. Much like her namesake, the goddess of Earth, Gaia is a matriarchal force who invokes the cycles of life and the creative spirit through movement, music and light.
The production will call HOTA, Home of the Arts, home for its brief four-show run of November 6–8. But it marks the beginning of an exciting new three-year partnership between Experience Gold Coast and Queensland Ballet to launch world-premiere productions in Brisbane.
When announcing the production in June, Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega told Dance Australia, “This production is the perfect launch of our new partnership, as it stretches the boundaries of what ballet can be — emotionally, musically, and culturally. With Sia’s music as our heartbeat in this first work, we’re diving into something raw, contemporary and full of feeling.”
Yarmila Alfonzetti, Head of Arts and Culture at HOTA, shared a similar sentiment, “HOTA is a place for artists to push boundaries and audiences to be surprised. Elastic Hearts is exactly the kind of work that belongs here – fearless, emotional, and made for now.”
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“Elastic Hearts” will run at HOTA from November 6–8. Find out more and get tickets here.