Secondhand Setlists

A contemporary piece of dance, Astoria blends the worlds of whimsical fantasy and harsh reality for a jarring, moving effect.

As part of MOVES at the Montalbán, Astoria featured the choreography of Capezio A.C.E. award winner Lukas McFarlane. McFarlane, famed for his work as a celebrity dancer and choreographer, starred as the lead in Astoria. Backed by his dance troupe UnTitled Dance Company, he told the tale of a world falling into disarray, and the attempt to put it back together.

You could tell McFarlane works closely with his dancers by the way each movement transitioned. Though contemporary dance often looks fluidly improvised, it requires proper staging and timing from the performers to look natural. Whether passing goblets or mirroring their extensions, the performers moved with purpose.

Company member Kieran MacDonald deserves to be noted for his graceful extensions and powerful movements. While slightly less physically imposing than McFarlane, he still held his own as the steadfast death, who always came out on top, even against the creator of the piece.

A personal note: every dance piece, especially contemporary, should be required to feature at least one track by Björk and one by Imogen Heap. Both musicians, renowned for their fully recognized visions of the art, supply the perfect soundtrack for a dancer. Like contemporary dance, these artists incorporate elements from the past to channel into modern forms of expression.

McFarlane’s own vision took a jolting turn towards the latter half when the protagonist awakened in distress and without memory of what happened. Slowly, the other dancers revealed the path which led him to his current state and the way by which he may heal. Along the way he stumbled, practically crashing into the floor on his falls, but it was all part of the effect, which was nothing short of dazzling.