Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/163731
25 maltatoday, EXOSKELETAL ELYSIUM pg 28 lta's TEMPTING TRUFFLES pgs 34, 35 SUNDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2013 MARVELLOUS MAURITIUS pg 36 Providing opportunities to dance – this time in a 'tearful' premiere MaltaToday interviews Lynne Salomone Reynaud, artistic director of new contemporary dance institute Malta Dance Theatre, on the subject of her creation – MDT's debut production, 'Lacrimosa' The birth of Malta Dance Theatre Professional dance in Malta Opportunities as a professional dancer in Malta are limited, if not almost non-existent. If one wishes to make a career out of dance locally, one of the only few options which would generate an income would be teaching, rather than performing. Teachers like Brigitte Gauci Borda have nurtured young talent into high-calibre dancers, and through the development of companies such as MDT and the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree and master's in dance studies at our local university, our culture seems to be moving in a direction that may one day create an environment in which dance could be fully professionalised. The students of MDT The school caters for children aged three yrs and up, offering the facilities to study dance and achieve a strong technical foundation. MDT caters for dancers who have already studied dance and reached a high technical standard, provid- Lynne Salomone Reynaud, by Kris Micallef ing opportunities to perform more regularly and develop themselves as artists. Who makes it into the MDT company It is essential that the company dancers can understand and identify with the subject matter of the choreography. Being between the ages of 16 and 29 years, some just having finished secondary school, others fresh out of university or just beginning a new job, these are issues that, if not experienced first hand, one would have either witnessed or been the cause of. About 'Lacrimosa' Working in close contact with children and adults I am witness to various social behaviour and sometimes act as a confidant. What 'Lacrimosa' seeks to convey is the darker side of human emotion or behaviour, which, though not always brought to light or easily discussed, is ever present. It is through communication in its various mediums, including dance, that one may seek to raise awareness. As the title suggests, 'Lacrimosa' depicts 'tearful' experiences. Its message is twofold: the realisation of the hurt that one's words and actions can cause and the courage and strength it takes to accept yourself for who you are and rise above it! 'Lacrimosa' is divided into three parts, or tearful experiences: the first is a story about a troubled child, whose cries for help fall on deaf ears – ignored and unheard by a society that is too self-involved to open its heart and eyes to the pain and suffering that exists around them. Second is the gravity of bullying and its consequences, a reminder to think before acting, because sometimes it may be too late to ask for forgiveness. Third are stereotypes and stigmas, meaning the divisions that we create using hurtful words and labels. 'Lacrimosa' aims to break down the barriers within our society by making people more aware of just how sensitive human beings are and how the way we behave towards each other has a direct effect on that person's quality of life. Tickets to Lacrimosa are available from the Brigitte Gauci Borda school of dance from 6 to 9pm Tuesday to Thursday, from Malata restaurant, Valletta, or by email at lynnesalomone@gmail.com. The performances will be 7 and 8 September at 8:30pm PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARA MANARA Michela Said After 10 successful years of teaching for the renowned Brigitte Gauci Borda [director of MDT], she and I sat down for our yearly discussion, which usually directs the following year. This year more than any other, I felt the need to have a creative outlet where I could work with individuals of a certain level of training – thus offering graduates of the school the opportunity to continue to grow and develop and focus on the performance aspect. On this note Brigitte and I came to an agreement that we would collaborate to develop a dance company, which resulted in the creation of Malta Dance Theatre. The aim of Malta Dance Theatre is to form a fusion between dance and theatre. Expressive technical choreography coupled with simple everyday movements, will allow for this, strengthened by the use of projections, images and vocals.