Review: Deciphers (Naishi Wang and Jean Abreau / Harbourfront Centre / DanceWorks)

Deciphers, presented in part by the Harbourfront Centre and DanceWorks, is a venture into the realm of dance-theater, aiming to illuminate the immigrant experience. This exploration is the creation of independent dancemakers Naishi Wang and Jean Abreau. Wang, originally from China and now based in Toronto, and Abreu, hailing from Brazil and currently based in London, merge their unique background for this work.

The overall design of the work is quite beautiful. The all-white minimalist stage provides a fresh canvas for the performance, credited to Ivy Wang's visual design. The two performers start on stage, drawing and writing on a large piece of paper that spans the space. They look at the audience briefly before returning to their drawing, as the audience enters and finds their seats. This was exciting to me because it reminded me of the diaries of Jerome Robbins - unique, long panels of drawings and text housed in the New York City Library. His drawing and long paneled journals helped Robbins to process the world, which seems quite fitting for a work of this theme.

The performance begins as they start to crinkle and crumple the paper while walking towards each other, culminating in a prolonged embrace between the two performers. The sound of the paper is amusingly stimulating; therefore, I was excited for what was to come.

However, based on the title, I expected the piece to invite the audience on a reflective and/or curious journey, although I found that the execution leaves too much room for interpretation and for the audience to decipher. The work is slow to start and seems to stay within this slow vein throughout the 50-minute-work.

Wang and Abreu are indeed beautiful movers. They engage in self-indulgent and fluid motions, primarily performed solo but on the same stage. I just wanted to see more from the two! The connection with the audience, and even between themselves, appears minimal.

The work is promoted as integrating elements of traditional Chinese and Brazilian dance styles with contemporary dance, accompanied by spoken word inspired by Canadian poet Mark Strand and Brazilian poet Fernando Sabino. However, the anticipated fusion of Chinese or Brazilian dance styles seemed absent, replaced instead by brief segments of contemporary dance. The spoken word, delivered simultaneously in Portuguese and Chinese, likely for effect, renders the tone and content elusive. Including the poems in a program might have provided much-needed clarity (I do not believe there were programs for the work as I did not receive one or see any QR codes to scan).

Yet, I still found the design of the work on point. I was particularly impressed with the lighting design by Lucie Bazzo, especially during a sequence where the dancers are illuminated by three adjacent, front-facing lights of different colors, creating a '90s-era three-dimensional reflection on the white backdrop of the stage. The costumes are also fitting, predominantly in neutral tones but highlighted by a light purple sweater on Abreu and striking yellow sneakers for Wang.

Deciphers might not align with my expectations (and the palpable restlessness within the audience suggests a shared sentiment), but if you are curious to form your own opinion, Deciphers will be performed in Montreal at MAI (Montréal, Arts Interculturels) from February 14–17 and in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre from February 22–23.

Deciphers, presented by the Harbourfront Centre and DanceWorks, is playing at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre (231 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8) until February 10th, 2024. Tickets range from $29 to $79. Tickets can be purchased online here.

Deciphers will be performed in Montreal at MAI (Montréal, Arts Interculturels) from February 14–17 and in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre from February 22–23.

HarbourfrontCentre.com
DanceWorks.ca
Naishi.dance
JeanAbreudance.com

Photo by Maya Yoncali.

Written by Deanne Kearney
DeanneKearney.com @deannekearney