‘Dancers with Dirty Feet’ reflects ADT legacy

Jennifer Barry, in conjunction with Pomare Productions, presents Dancers with Dirty Feet at The Odeon Theatre in Norwood from October 8–10 at 7:30 p.m. Retracing the beginning of one of Australia’s most esteemed artistic companies, Australian Dance Theatre, Dancers With Dirty Feet uncovers the muses, international aspirations and influences on the iconic Australian dance institution.

An independent production celebrating the 50th anniversary of ADT, Dancers With Dirty Feet is the personalized retrospective of ADT from Director and Founding ADT Dancer Jennifer Barry; examining the birth of ADT, her early adventures overseas and experiences dancing in New York with the man widely known as “the angry black artist”, Eleo Pomare, and his influence on the birth of ADT.

Eleo Pomare has long been touted as playing a pivotal role in the destiny of the company through his longstanding relationship with ADT Founder Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, who performed with Pomare in the 1960s, and later with Jennifer Barry as she too danced under his guidance within the company.

Wanting to celebrate the man who she believed to be a fundamental influence in the early development of ADT, Barry said that Pomare was one of the biggest international influences on the company’s humble beginnings.

“Eleo was not only essential in the development of ADT’s original edgy style and attitude towards dancing, but also my own career from an early age as I studied as his protégé in NYC,” Barry said. “His technique and movements were revolutionary at the time and he had such a lasting impression on many of ADT’s founding dancers and members.”

Dancers With Dirty Feet is an elaborate shift between spoken word, historic archival film on loan from the Eleo Pomare Dance Company, and a meticulous selection of Pomare’s original choreography.

A collective illustration of Pomare’s works, Dancers With Dirty Feet includes the moody transitional piece Three Faces of Noon, the abstract solo rendition of Passage, a subtle satire on classical ballet in Serendipity and the Lady Macbeth-influenced The Queens Chamber.

Book tickets via www.bass.net.au/events/dancers-with-dirty-feet.aspx. General admission is $33.55, with concession at $20.25 per ticket.