dark side of the crown

Last Sunday evening at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatre as the lights dimmed, the predominantly female crowd burst into a cacophony of ululation. The curtain rose and an elaborately dressed performer, with a candelabra on her head, danced across the stage followed by six exotically dressed dancers playing hand cymbals. We were definitely not in Kansas, and this was just one of seven support acts.

The support acts were all vibrant. The various styles of belly dancing included lots of swaying, and the well known shimmying of the hips, incredible rolling of bellies, necks, shoulders and hands. The music was predominantly Middle Eastern, along with some Indian, Tibetan and even one act included “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and “The Pink Panther Theme”. The Indian themed segment had four women presenting themselves to look like Siva and his many arms to some slow, haunting and solemn music. The crowd responded with great enthusiasm, often clapping along or ululating as a response to something that pleased them.

After this explosion of colour, movement and sound we came to the main attraction, Dark Side Of The Crown. There was just as much colour and movement in this longer ballet of belly dance. It was much like a ballet in that a simple story was told through dance. The story is mainly there as a vehicle to display the costumes, choreography, grace, energy and skill of the dancers.

The fabulous cast was mainly female and the story of a Queen (Heather Aued) murdered and the high priestess (Jrisi jusakos), becoming interim leader until one of the wonderful princesses (Sharon Kihara, Kaeshi Chai and Louchia) is made Queen, suited this cast. There were two fabulous male dancers, Danielo Mendes and Julian Granomort, as imperial guards who brought their hip hop style of dancing to the stage often accompanied by modern pulsating electronic music. The role of Amrakay The Advisor was danced by Jillina. The special guest drummer, Jamal Zraika, gave a mesmerising performance. The seventeen dancers making up The Court are to be commended on their hard work and entertaining performances.

Jillina’s excellent direction & choreography was enhanced and supported by Paul Dinletir’s music and Wick Sakit’s lighting. Many of the performers also impressively choreographed their own dancing.

DARK SIDE OF THE CROWN was a fun and entertaining production from Bellydance Evolution.