Jack Productions

The Calm after the Storm.

I still have to pinch my self when I contemplate the venture JACK just undertook. Again I have to thank the wonderful dancers for their trust, commitment and un-shakable belief in all that we explored.
It has been very interesting to hear and read the many varied discussions about ‘Human Abstract’ since its premiere over 2 weeks ago. The two main points of contention were the combination of theatricality within a primarily classical based work and a white costuming element introduced in the middle of the show. Strangely, the press mentioned nothing about the choreography or the wonderful music?!? I found it so interesting that there was no mention of the physical articulation, the expeditious dynamics, the use of time and space, the repetitive metaphoric symbolism or any emotional reflection of seeing some of Australia’s best dancers in an environment, up close and personal, an environment that has not been possible until now.
Thank you to all who came and supported, JACK is so grateful. I know that many of you walked away with some kind of connection with, or a topic for conversation from, what you experienced, and I thank you for sharing some of these thoughts and questions with me. Theatricality and movement have the same wonderful effect of suggestibility completely open for interpretation, this is the kind of presentation that was our goal, based on one theme only, the fear of being alone, not to present an easily digestible spoon of sugar.
I hope to see you in theatres across Melbourne supporting our vibrant arts community.

Lucas.

'Human Abstract' choreographed by Lucas Jervies, closed at the CUB Malthouse on Sunday 11th of July. After a successful premiere season, the team at JACK want to thank everyone involved, especially our new fans and friends.

For everyone who would like to reminisce, and for everyone who missed out, here are a few photos. More to come on the website soon.





"...moments of breathtaking brilliance." Jordan Vincent, The Age.

"It's a show to dazzle the senses." Chris Boyd, Herald Sun.

I began my research for this work after reading William Blake’s poem, ‘The Human Abstract’. The haunting atmosphere and dark essence of the poem was my inspiration and has remained throughout our creative process however as usual the direction of the work has developed a completely new and unexpected path.
I have fallen in love with simplistic imagery and suggestive gesture to portray our protagonist’s journey, one that we have all travelled and one that some will travel again. It is a fragile human situation I have strived to explore, both physically and theatrically, through an anxious dynamic and abstract metaphor.
Ironically, what fun it has been to research such a fearful situation. From the bottom of my heart I thank all who have been involved in this project especially the incredible dancers. Your talent, commitment and passion will remain a constant inspiration.

Lucas Jervies.

Jack has just come to the end of the first week of the Melbourne rehearsal period and all is going better than planned. Our passionate and couragious choreographer, Lucas Jervies, has put in almost a forty hour week while battling the jet lag and still trying to pay for coffee with euros!!

In terms of the creation, the material is flooding out and the amazing group of dancers are taking to it like ducks to water. The piece and the team are growing in confidence and all seems to be on track.

Also this week Jack had a launch party at The Trust on Flinders Lane.
This was the first public outing for Jack and the response seemed only positive for the future. Jack would like to thank all the people that attended the launch for their support and friendship and we hope they will spread the word for Jack.

A special thank-you to Alex Ryding, Gorgeous Cosmetics, Dello Mano Chocolates, Go West Tours, NGV and Lindy Wills for their launch support.

Andrew

Here we go!

Last week was our first rehearsal here in Europe for “The Human Abstract”, the first endeavor of JACK productions, and I am so glad to be a part of it from the beginning! Lucas and I worked for a few days at the Scapino Ballet studios in Rotterdam in preparation for the real work that will begin in Melbourne in July. We made several phrases, worked on material, Listened to some of the music that is being created and spoke about the whole concept for the piece, which sounds really exciting.

I love the beginning of the creative process, it all feels so easy and carefree and you never know where the work will lead or what interesting decisions the choreographer will make. You just have to show up and do your best, and the rest always seems to fall into place, at least by the time you are on stage! I am so interested in see the work of Lucas in Australia; I think it going to be so innovative and fun with some truly new ideas coming through.

I cannot wait for the long voyage over to Melbourne and the hard work that will be happening in the coming months before that. Many thanks for reading and I cannot wait to see how the work develops.

Cheers,

Sabina

Hey everybody,

So we have started rehearsals for ‘Human Abstract’!

I started working with Sabina Perry (our international guest artist for this production) here in Holland at the Scapino Ballet Studios. It was great to get on the body some of the ideas I have been discovering during my research period.

We made good progress and had a lot of fun!

I think some of the laughing may even stay in the production…

See ya soon,

Lucas.

It’s been a big week for JACK!

‘Human Abstract’, our first project, has hit the press, tickets are on sale and it’s time to share the love!

Peter Brook says “A large part of our excessive, unnecessary manifestations come from terror that if we are not somehow signalling all the time that we exist, we will in fact no longer be there.” The idea is that we all make such a fuss because if we don’t, no one will notice. Maybe they won’t, maybe they shouldn’t, but in ‘Human Abstract’, Lucas Jervies is going to find out… by making a fuss. Lucas is not alone in creating these “excessive, unnecessary manifestations”, he has pulled together a terrifying cast of dancers ready to explore and expose their own fear and paranoia. Six leading dancers of the Australian Ballet and an international guest will give movement and voice to Lucas’ vision. Robert Curran, Andrew Killian, Danielle Rowe, Kevin Jackson, Laura Tong and Leanne Stojmenov will be joined by Canadian Sabina Perry on the Merlyn stage at the CUB Malthouse in July.

Not all the ‘fun’ will be happening on the stage. Up until now, and surely well into the future, the challenge for us has been in the planning and organising of a dance event. Business plans, marketing plans, theatre contracts, ticketing arrangements, artist contracts, public liability insurance, funding applications, websites and blogs. Who ever would have thought that we could swap our pointe shoes and lycra for laptops and paperwork? We did. And we do. It hasn’t all been easy, as full-time dancers with the Australian Ballet, it has been emails between rehearsals, contracts over lunch, sponsorship meetings before class and phone calls between eye shadow and mascara. And it’s not over yet…

Keep checking in with JACK in the coming weeks as the story continues to unfold.

Laura and Robert

I’m writing this little message to you from the ‘Nippy Netherlands’ snuggled up in front of my heater, delaying the inevitable freezing walk to work at Scapino Ballet Rotterdam. Meanwhile my comrades down under are roasting like chooks! I’m not sure which is more appealing, I don’t think I can even remember what the latter feels like. I have not lived, danced or choreographed on home soil in years, a sad little gap I have quietly carried that will finally be filled thanks to JACK and I can’t wait!

It’s three months until opening night and this is our first blog! A slight feeling of panic or perhaps it was just intense excitement, I’m not sure, came over me last night, as the reality of our endeavor, gets… well realer and realer. Now that the challenging ‘set up’ period of JACK productions has nearly been completed, I can sink my teeth into the planning of our first production ‘Human Abstract’ at the wonderful CUB Malthouse theatre. I am honoured and super excited to be creating on such a superb team of dancers and I hope to give you, my fellow Melbournians, a new work that you can connect with.

In the lead up to opening night I still have a lot to get done here. I am making a new work for Scapino Ballet’s ‘Twools’ program plus a new work for Stuttgart Ballets ‘Noverre’ evening and I mustn’t forget my dancing responsibilities on the current Scapino tour of Reischl&Goecke around the Netherlands. My parents will be visiting Holland for the first time and will co-incidentally see my last performance as a dancer here.

Ahhh, as I’m writing this down that ‘excitement’ feeling is creeping back…

From today onwards, here on our website you can follow regular posts, updates, news and perhaps some blues, from all the team members involved in our projects. Id like to take this opportunity to quickly thank my partners at JACK productions, Robert Curran, Andrew Killian and Laura Tong for their solid support, unbreakable passion and inspirational wisdom. The journey has just begun!

See you all soon
Lucas.

Hi Everyone! Just dropping a line to let you know our new Website is up. Please check it out at: www.jackproductions.com.au

Keep up to date with everything from our recent projects, to video's and image galleries. And feel free to drop us a line!