Debbie Lee-Anthony
Body of Experience
A multi-cultural dance performance project celebrating the mature performer. With recommendation from Project Manager/Director UKFD Tim Tubbs, six leading artists between the ages 50-70 years were brought together to perform new solo dance works celebrating a variety of cultural dance forms, including Bharata Natyum, Raqs Sharqi, Neo Classical, Noh Theatre, Caribbean and Contemporary.
The Arts Council funded tour spread over many regions including Scotland and the North of England. Hamid Mantu (aka Hamilton Lee, my brother) created several of the sound tracks. The video here is of one of my solos from the tour ‘Holding The Moment’ with music created by my brother, who in later years also created the score for ‘Do Not Go Gentle’.
Review - londondance.com - Jessye Parke, 29th November 06
Performance: 27/28 Nov & touring
Body of Experience is a show not to be missed. Featuring professional performers over
the age of 45 it celebrates the mature performer by showcasing an
eclectic mix of dance styles and personalities. This group represents many more
who could still be making a significant contribution to dance as performers –
were it not for our current obsession with youth in dance.
Debbie Lee-Anthony has brought together six artists who perform solos choreographed by
themselves in their own unique styles. The result is an evening of dance which
spans genres from belly dancing, through traditional Caribbean dance to
neo-classical ballet.
Including such a diverse range of styles
and performers could potentially result in an incoherent programme. However,
the show was very well structured and produced – although a little long. The
range of genres provided the audience with a brief insight into not only the
talents of the individual artists, but also the dance style they
performed.
The design and lighting for this programme
is excellent throughout , and for many of the pieces it has been devised by the
performers/choreographers themselves. They seem to have an appreciation of how
best to use these elements to complement their work – perhaps a collective
benefit of years of professional experience.
A special mention for two of the
performers. Company founder Debbie Lee-Anthony performs two
pieces and in both showcases significant skill in her release-based
contemporary dance style. She also exhibits a wonderful stage presence and
dramatic ability through her choreography. In her own work Holding
The Moment , Lee- Anthony holds the attention of an enraptured
audience as she makes a “personal exploration of loss, change and new
beginnings”.
The stand out performer of the evening is Raymond
Chai. Formerly of National Ballet of Portugal, Chai
demonstrates all the qualities of a dynamic showman in the prime of his career.
In two technically challenging solos, he displays his clean ballet technique.
With charisma and style he dances his way through his virtuosic pieces without
breaking a sweat.
After each piece, Chai does not just bow
and run off the stage. In keeping with his truly flamboyant style he gives an
elaborate but modest bow then runs away and leaps into the wings.
Works by Chitra Sundaram, Nancy
King, Jackie Guy and Jacqui Chan also feature in this
programme which has been touring the UK since August this year. Although there
are some variations in technical ability, these performers exhibit strength,
athleticism and charisma, qualities which are often cited as lacking in the
mature performer.
Many of them would not look out of place in
mainstream dance companies. The quality of performance, use of facial
expression and technical prowess of these dancers has the ability to rival that
of those many years their junior. The dance industry ignores at its peril these
wonderful performers!