I had the pleasure of speaking to the delightful Ms Jesse Scales of the Sydney Dance Company about ‘The Land of Yes and The Land of No’, set to tour Tasmania next week.
Jesse Scales is true to her name. This is one young lady who has scaled the heights of world dance. Newly graduated in 2011 with a qualification in classical ballet. Jesse is Tassie born and her Mum worked in Tasmania as professional dance, gymnastics and drama teacher, teaching at a North Hobart school . Jesse’ s Mum is looking forward to accompanying Jesse on this tour of the Sydney Dance Company’s production of ‘The Land of Yes and The Land of No’. And is eager to help Jess become become familiar with Tassie’s weatherboard houses and Mt Wellington, and of course Jess wants to see what everyone is talking about i.e. MONA!
The family moved from Tasmania when Jesse was too young to appreciate these things. Jesse studied classical dance in New Zealand and later The Netherlands before eventually applying and winning a position in the Sydney Dance Company. This production has toured the UK and Europe to wonderful reviews.
What is’ the Land of Yes and The Land of No’ about?
Abstract and so difficult to define, it takes it’s starting point from the interest of its choreographer who has been collecting ‘signs’ (the humble street signs) for many years. It explores the situation of us following what the signs tell us to do and how following a request on a sign can impact on our lives. The dance further explores what would happen if we were to consider and question those signs. Its ultimately a sensuous story with an ambience and a reflection of mood of walls of colour and neon tubes created by art director Rafael Bonchela .
Its a gruelling life for a dancer with soreness and tiredness part of the side effects of preparing and performing and being perfectionists. Jesse tells me that the floor of the rehearsal stage at the Sydney Dance Company has the markings of the/layout of The Theatre Royal so as to prepare the dancers for performing on the Theatre’s stage.
The ‘The Land of Yes and The Land of No’ can be seen at the Princess Theatre Launceston from 1-16 June and in Hobart at the Theatre Royal from 8-9 June.
