Moana, a showcase of five short dance works, is entertaining, thought-provoking and enrapturing.

Stolen Stories, presented by FAF SWAG, explores themes of colonial subjugation. This work seamlessly blends contemporary dance, Pacific-influenced movement, and sub-genres of hip hop. These dancers achieve highlighting a serious topic and simultaneously entertaining the audience. The dance is strong and skilfully offered, and the use of multimedia is clever and complements the on-stage action well.

Fonua by Lyncia Muller is a vibrant, delightful work that quickly captivates the watcher. Its composition is clear and thoughtful, and all the performers are strong and committed. Most striking is the shapes created by the bodies in space, and the smooth, efficient movement of the dancers. As I watch this work, I feel a sense of representation of pride in modern Pacific culture from these young dancers.

Charged, choreographed by Cheyanne Teka, is a work that immediately draws the audience in. The work begins with a solo dancer, setting the tone for the work with her embodied, dynamic movement. She is joined by her fellow dancers and the dynamics are heightened even more, as they constantly change direction and shift about the space. All of the dancers work together within a specific movement vocabulary, and they present it with clear articulation and commitment.

Resurrect Me is choreographed and danced by Arohanui Watene. We are presented with a projected video of a masked figure dancing along Wellington Harbour, and then the masked dancer herself comes to the stage. Exploring notions of ancestry, culture and self-discovery, this soloist grooves and carves her way through space and does so with efficiency and determination.

Lalo, choreographed by Ankaramy Fepuleai, presents us with the idea of humiliation in return for forgiveness for wrongdoing. This work is perhaps the highlight of the night for many. An all-male cast shows strength, precision, and some beautiful imagery, as they set about performing this traditional Samoan custom of a formal apology. The composition of this work is stunning, the sections flow and run on from one another cohesively, and all of these men achieve a wonderful precision in the articulation and isolation of the body, which is beautiful to watch.

The collection of short works presented in Moana represent a taste of the skilled emerging choreographic minds in New Zealand currently and I look forward to seeing what these artists create next.

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