In Sydney Dance Company's Somos, audience members and dancers 'could not be closer'

The Sydney Dance Company's latest work, "Somos," is currently being staged in Melbourne and will then return to Sydney, having premiered in 2023. The production transports the audience into an intimate space, with 150 spectators seated around a circular arena, where dancers perform on a central golden floor, so close that the audience can even hear their breathing and see the sweat on their faces. This proximity creates a unique and immersive experience for everyone involved.

Rafael Bonachela, the creator of the work and artistic director of the Sydney Dance Company, told ABC Arts, "It's very intimate, open, honest, and emotional; you can't get any closer." "Somos" incorporates Bonachela's tributes to family, culture, and his favorite film directors, setting it apart from any of his previous dance creations. This personal touch makes the performance all the more compelling and resonant.

Bonachela, 52, was born in Spain and left his homeland at the age of 17. After living in London for 20 years, he moved to Australia, where he has resided ever since. He confessed, "Since I was 17, my life has been in the Anglo world, and I left my birth culture." However, in "Somos," he makes a powerful return to his roots, with the work consisting of 12 dances, each set to a different Spanish song. This return allows him to explore and celebrate his heritage in a profound and artistic way.

Bonachela stated, "Somos' shows a part of myself that I have never shown until now." While he may harbor some sense of loss or nostalgia for leaving his homeland, he also feels immense joy for the achievements and experiences he has gained since then. In London, he danced and choreographed for the renowned Rambert Dance Company and choreographed for stars such as Kylie Minogue and Tina Turner. Since 2009, he has led the Sydney Dance Company, touring the troupe around the world. His diverse background has enriched his artistic vision and contributed to his success.

Family, film, and music have been his ways of staying connected to his native culture, and he celebrates them in his latest work. Bonachela said, "When you've been away from your country for a long time, music is a way to connect with it immediately." The films of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, often featuring Latin American artists, have also had a significant impact on Bonachela. The same year Almodóvar filmed the critically acclaimed film "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" was the year Bonachela left Spain. Since then, he has been haunted by the director's films. These films not only keep him connected to his culture but also make him more aware of the power of music in driving narrative. Bonachela even included a song from "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" in "Somos" – the emotional "Soy infeliz" performed by the late Mexican singer Lola Beltrán.

Bonachela is passionate about his art form. Even over the phone line, you can clearly feel the smile on his face as he talks about the career he has dedicated his life to. He said, "I love dance, dance is my life. I think dance is for everyone. The more people dance, the less trouble there will be in the world because I firmly believe that dance brings people together, it can bridge cultural differences. It's a universal language that can be understood and appreciated by people from different backgrounds. We all understand the body and how it moves." This belief in the power of dance fuels his creativity and inspires him to share his passion with others.

Not only that, but he also said that in an age saturated with media, dance can provide a respite from the constant bombardment of information that fills our daily lives. Bonachela said, "We already live in a world full of narratives, communication is everywhere. Dance allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the body for an hour, an hour and ten minutes. Dance doesn't tell you what to think, what to feel. I find great freedom in that. I tell people, 'Relax, enjoy, let your mind wander, because that's what dance is all about.'" "Somos" will be performed at the Melbourne Arts Centre from March 13 to 23, and at the Sydney Dance Company's Neilson Studio from March 27 to April 6. This offers audiences in both cities the opportunity to experience the beauty and freedom of dance firsthand.