FRANKIE & BRIAN
Remember the heady excitement of your first crush, the exquisite anticipation of that first kiss? SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre’s new show, Frankie & Brian, channels all the drama and the emotion of teen romance in a feel-good performance that blends authentic storytelling with dynamic choreography.
WORDS RITA HORANYI
Meet Brian. Quiet and thoughtful, he's a bit of a romantic and an optimist at heart. Frankie, on the other hand, is the skeptical type who questions everything and resists going along with the flow. Neither of them wants to go to the graduation dance, but their parents have other ideas.
Like in any good romcom, these two young protagonists must overcome a series of obstacles before eventually finding happiness. In their case, some of the obstacles are internal – overcoming the awkwardness and embarrassment of putting yourself out there, letting yourself be vulnerable and open enough to meet someone and fall in love.
“What the dancers wanted [the show] to be about is that vulnerability of love ... and the right for everyone to find someone to love, and the hope that everybody can find love,” says SLIDE Artistic Director, Joanna Noonan.
“Love is really important to young people. They want to fall in love. They want their friends to find love ... They want people to find connection, and so, that was really important to them when we were making it.”
Set in the 80s, the performance offers plenty of fun nostalgic vibes and the kind of high energy choreography SLIDE is known for, including tap, hip hop, and break dancing, as well as objects falling from the sky, oversized props, and set changes. The graduation dance event within the show, on the other hand, has a 1950s theme, allowing the production to make the most of two great eras of dance.
The production also features four guest dancers – Bill Cotter, Ryan Patricks, Jordan Lefebvre, and Sophia Hodges – graduates from SLIDE that have gone on to study contemporary dance at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Coming back to take part in the show and to mentor the other dancers, their participation demonstrates the ongoing connections and inspiration SLIDE can create.
It’s also nicely fitting in a show that celebrates young people and their hopes and dreams.
Head along and enjoy this uplifting performance about finding love and the courage of young people that’s sure to leave you with a big smile on your face.
Frankie & Brian
WHEN THU 4 & FRI 5 DEC, 10.30AM & 7PM | SAT 6 DEC, 12.30 & 7PM
AT AANT CENTRE
COST $35| $31 MEMB/CONC | $21 CHILD
INFO yourcentre.com.au
