It’s hard to think of a typical dad being inclined to dance, other than as a comical movie device or the result of beer-induced bravado at a family gathering. However, after discovering that her father likes to wear headphones and secretly dance in his room while banging a tambourine, Miranda Wheen of Dance Makers Collective realised there was a hidden underworld of dancing dads.
This revelation sparked the idea for Dads, a new production based on discussions about “dance” between the performers and their fathers. The soundtrack is a combination of toe-tapping music and snippets of the actual interviews conducted with the dads.
“They’ve been very generous, extremely generous with us using the material,” acknowledges Wheen, describing the entire experience as enlightening and emotionally complex.
“It wasn’t all lighthearted…some of the dads had quite sad stories that are associated with dancing.”
For one father, the sudden inclination to dance was a sign his long bout with depression was ending; for another, dancing prompted memories of a lost partner; and one of the dads had only ever danced once in his life – on his wedding day.
Wheen says the fathers were candid and approachable, although their interest in dance varied. There was the motor mechanic who is “kind of perplexed by his sons contemporary dance practice”. On the other hand, Wheen told of another dad who “has even started choreographing for us, he gives us improvised structures to work with – which is fantastic!”
While there were some tensions and challenges, overall the experience has been positive and provided the fathers with an understanding of their children’s art, as well as freeing up their own inhibitions about dancing.
There was one group of people who were a little miffed, however… the mums! (RB)
Nov 2−5, 8pm (Nov 4, 12:30pm with Q&A). Riverside Theatres, Corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta. $28-$35. Tickets & info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au
BY RITA BRATOVICH
