DanceWorks CoWorks/Tracey Norman – Anthology Vol. 1

by Paula Citron.
__________________________
Anthology Vol. 1
Tracey Norman
At Winchester Street Theatre
Choreographed by Tracey Norman
Performed by Robyn Alfonso, Jesse Dell, Beth Despres, Kate Franklin, Tina Fushell, Leah Archambault, Jennifer Ellis and Norman
__________________________

This past weekend’s dance show Anthology Vol. 1 was Tracey Norman’s first time presenting a concert of her own choreography of solos and ensembles. She graduated from York University in 2003, but already she has developed her own signature.

Three of the four works included text, and this is where Norman is strongest. Her droll and ironic sense of humour was found in Waving from the Inside (2004), Gifted (2007) and her new piece Insomnia. The weakest link was 2006’s Are We There Yet! which was movement only.

Are We There Yet!, about video games and competition, was certainly bruisingly energetic and athletic, but seemed routine. The minute the dynamic of text-inspired movement was added in, her works became refreshing and original. Words inspired Norman to use movement in a more inventive way to highlight and comment on, but not necessarily mirror the meaning.

At this point in her career, Norman is most engaging as a dance theatre artist.