VIRTUOSI

SUE HEALEY (NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA)

Wednesday 20 March - Friday 22 March, 2013

Loft, Q theatre

Film lovers are catered for in the Auckland Arts Festival 2013, both in the visual arts programme and also the performance arena with Virtuosi, a beautiful and inspirational feature-length documentary about the passionate drive to be an artist. Created by award-winning Australian-based New Zealand choreographer and filmmaker, Sue Healey, and playing at Q theatre from 20 - 22 March, Virtuosi reveals intimate and astounding portraits of a group of New Zealand dancers who left their homeland to pursue careers around the world.

Healey sought out eight members of the New Zealand dance diaspora, all living in different locations and amongst different cultures. Destined for greatness, the dancers left New Zealand in their youths to pursue careers around the world and have all achieved remarkable things in the world of contemporary dance. These include Mark Baldwin who is Artistic Director of UK's Rambert Dance Company, Ross McCormack who performs with Les Ballets C de la B and Lisa Densem who dances with Sasha Waltz & Guests. In Virtuosi, audiences have the rare chance to witness each dancer's artistry as they reflect on their careers, lives and identities.

Of the film, which is finished with a captivating soundtrack by New Zealand jazz legend and Healey's long-term collaborator, Mike Nock, Healey said, "In dance, context is really important - dancers are very quick at drawing in information, taking in the place they're in, sensing the space around them. In Virtuosi, each location has definitively shaped each dancer's identity and in turn the art they make. I found this idea fascinating and set out to ask questions around this - how does your location determine the artist you are? Despite each of the dancer's stories being quite different, partly defined by where they choose to live, there is a common thread across all of their experiences - their 'New Zealand-ness'."

Originally from Auckland, Healey began a degree in Science at Auckland University whilst completing RAD Advanced Ballet. She graduated from Melbourne's Victorian College of the Arts with a BA in Dance Performance in 1984 then later gained a Masters Degree in Choreography (first class honours) at Melbourne University. Experimenting with form and perception, Healey creates dance for diverse spaces - theatres, specific sites and the camera. Her dance films have had wide international exposure and received many awards including Winner People's Choice Reeldance Australia (2008); Best Dance film Reeldance, Australia (2004); Best Dance Film Australian Dance Awards (2003 and 2008 and Winner Il Coreografo Elettronico, (Independent section 2004) Italy. Other film credits include choreography for the feature film The Goddess of 1967 (2002) and Quantum Leapers (2004).

New Zealand musician and composer Mike Nock's vast reputation is built on twenty-five years working in the US with many of the world's top jazz musicians including Coleman Hawkins, Yusef Lateef, Dionne Warwick and Michael Brecker; to a large catalogue of critically acclaimed and internationally released recordings; as leader of the 1970s seminal jazz-rock group The Fourth Way; and though a substantial body of original compositions in print and on recordings. Mike has also composed work for Michael Houstoun and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

In one of Auckland Arts Festival 2013's many post-show talks, following the 20 March screening of Virtuosi Sue Healey will chat with the audience about the film and her work.

www.aaf.co.nz

Having heard Nock's music for many years - and being aware of his genius as a composer, arranger and player - I found it amazing to see him perform live... He proved he could build from a platform, adding layers and textures - working with minimalism, classical, jazz and noiresque soundscapes to show that many colours can be conjured from the keys of a piano. - Dominion Post

Sue Healey is a masterful filmmaker, choreographer and performance-maker. - RealTime

Sue Healey's choreography is beautifully nuanced, energetic and eclectic. - Time Out Sydney

SEASON DETAILS

Show Virtuosi

Where Loft, Q Theatre

When Wednesday 20 March - Friday  22 March, 6.30pm

Duration 1hr 20min no interval

Post-show talk Wednesday 20 March

Price $10

Bookings Q Theatre: www.qtheatre.co.nz / 09 309 9771

THE EDGE: www.buytickets.co.nz / 09 357 3355 / 0800 289 842

Information www.aaf.co.nz

Video http://performinglines.org.au/productions/virtuosi/

Social Media Facebook: facebook.com/Aklfestival

Twitter: @Aklfestival

Media enquiries Siobhan Waterhouse, Publicist. P: +64 (0)9 374 0317|M: +64 (0)22126 4149 | E: siobhan.waterhouse@aucklandfestival.co.nz

CREATIVE CREDITS

Choreographer/Filmmaker: Sue Healey

Composer: Mike Nock

Director of Photography: Judd Overton

Editors: Lindi Harrison and Sue Healey

Dancers: Mark Baldwin, Craig Bary, Lisa Densem, Raewyn Hill, Sarah-Jayne Howard, Jeremy Nelson, Ross McCormack and Claire O'Neil

With support from Creative New Zealand and Arts NSW