‘Syncopation’ is the title of the Theatre Royal’s soon to be visiting production of dance and drama. ‘Syncopation’ is defined as ‘a variety of rhythms which are in some way unexpected which make an off-beat tune or piece of music. More simply, syncopation is a general term for a disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm: a placement of rhythmic stresses or accents where they wouldn’t normally occur.’
Perhaps that also describes the storyline behind the title, the offbeat relationship between a Jewish meat packer and an Italian seamstress that are brought together to partner each other in ballroom dancing. I spoke to one half of the cast, the lovely Emma Palmer last week prior to her visit to Tasmania. Emma says her character, Anna Bianchi is ultimately searching and this partnership in the play may see her find what she is looking for.
Syncopation by Allan Knee is like nothing that has been done before as Emma and her co-star Justin Stewart Cotta who plays Henry Ribolow are the only actors on stage and must be able to deliver dialogue while performing dance moves.
With the surge of interest in ballroom dancing due to television programs like ‘Dancing with the Stars’, ironically the plays choreographer once worked for the program, the play seems timely.
Emma is a NIDA trained double threat of actor and dancer as opposed to the triple threat of singer, dancer and actor. Emma is classically trained in ballet but believes that with training in any discipline of dance it makes it much easier to dip your toe (pardon the pun) into many other dancing styles with ease.
When Emma isn’t acting in a play like this one, or maybe one less strenuous as she agrees this is one of the most challenging things she has done, you can see Emma as a befriender of Big Ted on playschool as well as making appearances in other quality Australian dramas.
With minimal staging the play must evoke images through the magnificent work of the actors who make us believe they are at Coney Island, on a boat, in a rehearsal room or on a street location.
Emma will be touring with Syncopation until the end of July and tells me then it will be back to Big Ted. Emma also tells me she will be show fit and ready to dance when she arrives in Tasmania, a place she has never been before. Emma hopes to do some walks on Cradle Mountain and visit Port Arthur when she is in Tassie.
Syncopation can be seen at the Theatre Royal on 29th and 30th of May.
Paula Xiberras
