Scintillating presentation

by Mahes Perera

Dance Works Centre's presentation of 'Flashback' to celebrate twenty five years of dancing was an enjoyable colourful extravaganza and a fitting year-end entertainment for thirst filled audiences.

To Kanthi Ranchigoda must go praise for distinctively choreographing the show, including the designing of the costumes, considering the fact that she had about 150 enthusiastic students on the Lionel Wendt stage. The dedication and discipline she has instilled in them was reflected in the dancing and the quick costume changes.

The opening act with the Egyptian dancers in absolutely fabulous costumes was stunning and had an ideal impact on the evening. From then on we were treated to excellent entertainment portraying the seasons, the different times of day, creatures - and here Snakes and Ladders was very effective.

So too the thunder and lightning sequence, rainbow, Red Hot, the Hip-hop routine which the boys danced with enthusiasm since it was right up today's youth street, and 'So this is Christmas' to name a few.

It's difficult to pick out individual performances since the dancers were working as a team and they complemented each other. Still on opening night the solo performance to portray wind by the dancer who danced to the music of 'Colours of the Wind' was delightful. The flamenco dancer was a treat to watch, her body language revealed that she had it in her.

The music chosen by Kanthi Ranchigoda added enchantment to the show. 'Moon River', 'Autumn Leaves', 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', 'Big Spender', 'Black Velvet' are favourites and the audience would have certainly taken home many memories of that night.

Kanthi Ranchigoda in an interview expressed "I feel that 25 years have gone by and I'm starting another 25". Well we hope we will be able to enjoy more choreographed colourful extravaganzas like 'Flashback' in the future. Congratulations Kanthi.

The proceeds from the shows were for Surol - the society for the uplift and rehabilitation of leprosy patients.