I'm still trying to get my head around this arrogant and infuriating posting from the Evil Wimp regarding Rafael Bonachela's position at Sydney Dance Company. It is obviously meant to provoke debate, yet it generates an unnecessary amount of the very 'mean spirit' it accuses Rafael of, and I can't stop myself from making some facts clearer.
Article19 only needed to do a tiny bit of research to notice that this company has had the same director for 30 years, performing solely his work and consequently has been in dire need of new energy and focus. Now that Sydney Dance becomes a repertory company they need performers that can handle the contemporary work that Rafael will commission not simply dance in his own work.
Six months ago, I assisted Rafael for an 8week creation period with the company or sixteen as they were and we both got to know each dancer intimately gaining a true and full sense of their skill base.
Far from asserting authority just for the sake of it, Rafael, on getting the directorship, had 8 whole weeks of creative process to reflect on when establishing would be most suitable to stay and I'm sure went to great lengths to make the transition as good as possible for those performers without renewed contracts. Those of us who have actually worked in big companies know that there are always employees who need to move on, but need to be encouraged by a director to do so and in many cases this can actually be considered a gift of an opportunity for that dancer.
I have first hand correspondence with the Sydney dance scene and know they have warmly welcomed Rafael and have appreciated his thorough embracing of the whole dance community there, way beyond the walls of the institution.
This is so far from the projected imaginings of a group of office people in Leeds who clearly don't know Rafael, the way he conducts his work or the needs of Sydney Dance Company itself yet seem determined to bad mouth him for some reason. Rafael's work may not be to TheLab's liking and their doubts about him being up to the challenge is one thing, but to accuse him of asserting authority where in need not be asserted is unfounded and cruel.
Without an exception, all of the dancers who have worked with Rafael's company in the U.K. have thoroughly loved him as a boss and I consider the Sydney Dancers to be very lucky. TheLab seems to turn a blind eye to numerous choreographers in this country whom lack respect for their company dancers well being and instead pick on one of the most generous directors around.
Whilst posing as a genuine inquiry into the needs of Sydney Dance and the individuals involved, this posting stinks of some personal unresolved issue Article19 has with Rafael, his recent directorship announcement being merely a chance to slander his name.
I think on a more general level, the anonymous writer of this blog needs to think about the repercussions of this ongoing, easy and bitchy posting. Who is really acting like Simon Cowell here?
I ask the dance community this... does dialogue and opinion about dance have to be centered around this ill informed twits drivel which purports to be intellectual yet remains badly researched and cowardly?
Theo Clinkard
It is an argument I personally hear very often. Such and such a person is a supremely "nice guy", beloved by all and can do no wrong, etc, etc. It is a point of view similar to that of a dysfunctional marriage. People stay together on the basis of unquantifiable personal feelings and practicalities and personal actions are ignored.
Whether or not someone is "nice" or "lovable" is completely irrelevant.
I'm sure it was lovely for the seven dancers who were fired (or did not have their contracts renewed as you put it). I know dancers love it when they get kicked out of a company large or small, they really do appreciate the opportunity and enjoy telling other potential employers about why they were let go.
Actions speak louder than words, at least on this occasion, Mr Clinkard and this is our assessment of those actions, like it or not. I'm sure it is very difficult when you see a friend being written about in a negative fashion in the media but let me assure you that there is no axe to grind, no agenda, no score to settle. I personally don't have that kind of time.
I'm also not buying your suggestion that anybody who has come into contact with Mr Bonachela on a professional basis has nothing but love and admiration for him. I've been in this business for too long so please, let us talk as adults, even the Pope has his detractors.
I have no idea what Leeds or "office people" have to do with anything mind you.
You speak of cowardice but you refuse to name the dance makers who, as far as you are concerned, are so blatantly mis-treating their dancers.
I am responsible for what is published on Article19 so the buck stops with me and with me alone. On the same page of the form you filled in to send this message to Article19 there is a phone number. I note that you declined to call it, such was your outrage.
Also, "Evil Wimp", I see what you did there, that's funny.
Wishing you the very best of everything at all times.
