Multi-award winner and choreographic delegate for the World Dance Alliance project in Taiwan, Cadi McCarthy is a talented and driven performer. The recipient of two Canberra Critics Awards, McCarthy brings her latest choreographic journey, Restless, to the Courtyard Studio this fortnight.
McCarthy graduated from the prestigious West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 1996 with a BA (Dance). She went on to perform with Paige Gordon and Performance Group and was a key member of Buzz Dance Theatre.
With a rich resume of independent work including performance and choreography, McCarthy took the brave step of establishing Cadi McCarthy and Company in 2002. Sell-out audiences flocked to the three full length works that the company has so far produced: Awkward, Restless and Lick Sip Suck. In 2004, the Canberra Critics Award went to Restless and in 2006 they won the Award for Awkward.
Canberrans now have the good fortune to witness the energy, innovation, passion and unique talent that McCarthy and her performers channel into their live performances. RESTLESS delves into the world of what keeps us awake at night – the obstacles that force one man to remain painfully awake when all he desires is cruelly elusive sleep. Over one night, we explore his attempts to get some shuteye, experiencing shattering ups and downs and every scale of emotion and physical sensation as he becomes more and more determined, more and more desperate. Counting sheep, meditating, drinking chamomile tea and going mad: it might not make for a comfortable experience, but for lovers of dance and theatre, it guarantees a night of masterful and memorable entertainment.
McCarthy’s inspiration came from “a period in my life when I couldn’t sleep for a long period and I realised just how much effect insomnia had on you emotionally, physically and psychologically.” To conceive the work, she gathered her dancers in a process of collaborative improvisations, involving provoking dancers to consider thematic statements and words and to explore their personal responses, stories and feelings.
“Working collaboratively with the dancers provides the intensity and integrity to the presentation. I aim to challenge my dancers: physically, emotionally and theatrically,” she says, “whilst encouraging them to also challenge me.” Restless is a physically demanding work. Rehearsals have been full time for four weeks, with the dancers training daily to be in optimum physical condition for the performances. “The dancers do not leave the space for the full hour,” admits McCarthy. “It has complex choreography. The dancers have to act and that is exhausting also.”
McCarthy is convinced that anyone can enjoy the spectacle of dance. “Dance is universal,” she explains. “Everyone dances. Look how popular dance shows on TV and film are, or the way people flock to a dancefloor at a nightclub when they hear a popular song. Dance theatre is extremely accessible and that is my goal, to make work that everyone will understand and enjoy. If my dad enjoys it I know that I am on a winner,” she reveals. “I know he will enjoy this one.”
Restless performs at the Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre. Wednesday April 29 – Saturday May 9 @ 8pm, Sunday May 3 & 10 @ 6pm. Tix $25/ $15. Groups of five or more $10 each.
