Saxon Cheng

GARRY Stewart prefers to describe his work as a choreographer like a writer's art - where his artistic fantasies can come true.

"I'm able to create the text from scratch whereas a theatre director only explains how actors should perform according to the script," Stewart said.
Stewart choreographed Fugly, one of the pieces for Two, a double bill of contemporary dance from The One Extra Company.

Lucy Guerin choreographed Two's other piece, Remote.

Stewart said he took up dancing at 20 because he was a "movement junkie". The Australian Ballet School graduate presents a vigorous acrobatic style with DJ Jad McAdam, who mixes techno beats to recreate the energetic dance party mood.

"I was inspired by the techno music and the driving rhythm to propel the choreography," Stewart said.

Although Stewart, 35, has no formal training in acrobatics, he said he knew what he wanted from the dancers and mentally sketched the movement.

"I like how the body can change and metamorphose into something totally different," yoga-trained Stewart said.

"The connection between the dancers is a magical process through the combined forces."

Stewart's last work Helmet, a sell-out success for the Mardi Gras festival, has created Fugly, which is a challenge for the dancers who must move through a world of accidents, home videos, awkwardness and distorted romance.

Stewart has choreographed work for the Sydney Dance Collection, Melbourne Festival For The Arts, the National Theatre Festival, Canberra, and Queensland University of Technology. He hopes to work overseas in either New York or Holland.

"Conceptually, there is a lack of choreographers and limited opportunities for them in Australia," Stewart said. "The standard of Australian dance is good universally, but there aren't very many choreographers around.

"Choreographers should question tradition and display more of a cutting edge."

Stewart's credits include Fred And Ginger Get Laid, The Year My Voice Broke, The Velocity Of Sex, Spectre In The Covert Memory and Thack, which appeared at the Sydney Opera House.

Stewart said the standard of Australian dance was good universally.

"To survive in the industry, dancers need a versatile style including jazz, ballet and contemporary experience," he said.

Stewart praised Kate Levy and Narelle Benjamin, who are performing in Two, as two of the best dancers he has worked with. Two is at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre, until November 2.