Odyssey Dance Theatre, Singapore

CRITICS FOR MAINHOUSE SEASON PRODUCTIONS

The Business Times, 2nd June 2001 on 'XTREME2 -
WHERE DIFFERENT SOULS MEET'

' Four of the full-time dancers … worked well as an ensemble - they were tight yet managed to retain a sense of individuality without being too obvious about it"

'…. dancers also turned actors when they broke off from their moves to mine altercations and conversations with each other, but mostly to the audience.'

'In contrast, this piece seemed cheery when in fact dancers were still dramatic and theatrical"

The Arts Magazine, May - June 2001 Issue on 'ONE'

'Odyssey Dance Theatre … made a self-assured leap onto the stage with a full repertoire of works presented under the banner of ONE'

'Wavy Emotions … is a minimalist masterpiece. Wings was a strenuous, atavistic piece showcasing the talents of principal dancers. The Roots was a marvellous marriage of Chinese classical dance form with contemporary dance technique.'

'… one could not help but notice the discipline of the dancers - which showed through in their performances and impressive technique'

'Odyssey Dance Theatre has been aptly named - its artistic and spirituality was beautifully detailed in Me. I. Thank you.'

The Business Times, 10 February 2001 on 'ONE'

'As a fledging dance company, Odyssey Dance Theatre is worthy of commendation, not just in its choreography, but especially for how it has managed to orchestrate the more 'professional' dynamics of a performance - lights, music and publicity material.'

The Straits Times, 3 February 2001 on 'ONE'

' … the company's sheer prolific drive was proudly evident.'

'… Tan was possessed in pure earnestness and dancing with individual vitality on stage.'

The Business Times, 25th November 2000 on
'NEW TALENT PRESENTATION 1'

' … the year-old Odyssey has to be applauded for promoting local choreography in Singapore's growing contemporary dance scene … '

The Straits Times LIFE!, 21st November 2000 on
'NEW TALENT PRESENTATION 1'

'Barely a year old, ODT can pat its back for the time being in having assembled one of the stronger stables of dancers amongst Singapore's independent dance companies today.'

The Arts Magazine, Jan - Feb 2001 Issue on 'THE ORIGINS'

'The Origins - our crave for touch represents Odyssey Dance Theatre's (ODT's) most mature work ….'
' …. shared traditional Chinese dance elements; silence as sectional transitions; Asian sound; and quiet movement contrasted with verve.'

'ODT's most polished work thus far, we look forward to its continuing growth.'
' … we are witnessing the origins of a promising contemporary dance company'

The Straits Times LIFE!, 3rd October 2000 on 'THE ORIGINS'

' …. an astonishing level of productivity for a young company.'

'We saw the influence of Danny Tan's Chinese dance background in the gentle use of wrist and head, vocabulary not native to the Western classical tradition and, in this instance, lending an unusual and subtle energy to the ensemble.'

' … this was a company that has indeed danced during the evening with strong discipline and technical conviction, staying wisely within its current technical boundaries while at the same time dancing with the fullest fervour of which it was capable.'

Northland NEWS, August 2000 Issue on its 1st Arts Centre in Singapore

'Artistic Director of the Odyssey Dance Theatre, Danny is instrumental in helping the Arts Week take shape and ultimately realising it.'

The Business Times, 22nd April 2000 on 'X-TREME'

' …. one must say that he (Danny Tan) deserves to be credited for his pluck in exploring some contemporary concepts in his choreography'

The Arts Magazine, July 2000 Issue on 'X-TREME'

'The exposition of esoteric "spiritual desires" is challenging and "immoderate boundaries" especially intriguing'

The Straits Times LIFE!, 22nd Jan 2000 on 'ODYSSEY TO THE SUBLIME'

'ODT's professional integrity, adventurous and resourceful acumen will guarantee it is no stillborn or dilettante'

The Arts Magazine, May 2000 Issue on 'ODYSSEY TO THE SUBLIME'

'The verve displayed by the dancers in Odyssey to the Sublime was most impressive'

' ….. the production aspects of Odyssey were impressive ….'

'While Odyssey's scale and dynamism were impressive, Tan's development as an artistic director and choreographer may be his odyssey. Perhaps in his quest to find the essence of his expression, a truly Singaporean voice will eventually emerge.'