Psychosynthesis On Tour was here!

 

When I received the invitation to Psychosynthesis On Tour and saw that it was a ballet theatre production, my thoughts flashed to the JB Ballet Academy and its teacher, Ye Pick Lian, fondly known as Billian.

 

A scene from Psychosynthesis On Tour

My thoughts were that this show, staged at the Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House over the first weekend of January, would be best appreciated by Billian and the teachers and students in her dance academy.

 

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of getting to know Billian and her dance academy and featured her story in a piece titled, A ballerina's journey, published in The New Straits Times, in September 2016.

 

As soon as she received my message about this show, (as I expected!) Billian replied with eager questions like, “Will you be there for the show? Can we go together? How to buy tickets?”

 

With Kenny Shim [Left] and
Ye Pick Lian, Billian [Right]

I shared her excitement about this show and replied to her questions, one by one.

 

I smiled when I received a message from Billian a day before the evening show that read, “I’ll be there at 7.30pm tomorrow night. See you!”

 

True to her word, Billian was already at the lobby of the Opera House when I arrived for the show. It was a lovely reunion for us because we have not met for some time.

 

It was also a pleasure to meet with Kenny Shim of Kenny Shim Dance Collective, the award-winning choreographer who choreographed the dances for Psychosynthesis.

 

The opening scene of Psychosynthesis

Before being ushered into the theatre, I was also introduced to Dato’ Sri (Dr) Vincent Tiew, Director of KL Wellness City, the strategic partner of Psychosynthesis On Tour.

 

Inside the theatre, the show title, Psychosynthesis On Tour was emblazoned on the backdrop on the stage along with a QR code which the audience was invited to scan and download.

 

Observe the dancers'
pinched fingers...

This QR code opened to the Choreographer’s Notes which provided the audience with a helpful insight into the synopsis and staging of the show.

 

While waiting for the show to start, I had a quick read to understand the essence of the show which delves into the profound impact of the Covid-19 virus on both physical and mental health, as well as human resilience that came through with hope through unity, empathy and compassion.

 

I looked closer at the stage – which was still shaded in semi-darkness – and noticed a large metal structure that was suspended above.

 

This, I soon discovered (when the show started!) was an innovative lighting structure made up of numerous LED light tubes wound around a sphere, the shape of which symbolizes Psychosynthesis and embodies the structural aspects of the virus, emotions, mental turmoil and human unity.

 

Dancers bathed in white light in the final scene

It was rather impressive to watch this huge sphere move mechanically and in sync with the various scenes or Movements in the show.

 

For me, the most impactful scene that featured this lighted sphere hovering above the dancers was when the lights changed to a familiar formation, easily recognised as the double helix structure of DNA, while the dancers were positioned in two lines which (to me!) were the brave frontliners who helped to fight the virus through the years of uncertainty due to the global pandemic.

 

As the dancers drew the audience into the performance, I observed that their dance moves appeared to be inspired by the virus’ structure and the dancers held out their hands with pinched fingers.

 

Kenny Shim [Left] with the dancers on stage
to take a bow at the end of the show

It soon made sense because their pinched fingers represented the spike protein surrounding the virus and the dancers connected by using this gesture repeatedly.

 

While the dance artistically interpreted healthcare and frontliner workers volunteering to help, the performance also presented scenes of chaos that symbolized how the body’s cells fought with the virus.

 

In Movement Seven of the Second Act, there was a scene where dancers repeatedly moved from one side of the stage to another, individually at first and gradually transitioned to pairs or duets which represented human warmth.

 

One for the album with Kenny Shim
and the dancers of Psychosynthesis

The dance went on from male-female duets to a solo dancer, surrounded by images, fragments of loving memories.

 

The show ended with the dancers bathed in beaming white light, dancing in pairs and trios in an artistic expression of how humanity was stronger together and could overcome any challenge with unity.

 

At the final scene, Kenny Shim joined the dancers on stage to acknowledge the applause and to take a bow.

 

When the audience emerged from the theatre, friends and fans were invited to gather for souvenir photos with the dancers and Kenny. Among the group assembled for the group shots, I saw Billian and her friends. 

 

A fun free-style group shot
 

It was late that night when I received her message that read like this: “Did you get home safely? Thank you for introducing me to tonight’s good programme.”

 

My prompt reply assured her that it was always a pleasure to connect her with dance theatre shows and I was glad that she appreciated it.

 

Psychosynthesis On Tour is presented by Asia Ballet Academy, Kenny Shim Dance Collective and Asia Ballet Theatre in collaboration with KL Wellness City as strategic partner and co-organised by Ikita Malaysia with support from Tourism Johor.

 

For more info, visit website: asiaballetacademy.com