Round 3 Session 2, Senior Pas de Deux, 26 June

Daisuke Takeuchi, Japan, with non-competing partner Elizabeth Hansen, undertook the full Vaganova Diana and Acteon pas de deux. I couldn’t help thinking that Hansen, once ceded, had the best of the bargain in this pas de deux, dancing without any concern beyond supporting Takeuchi. She had as comparison the 1998 gold medallist, Anna Antoneneva, who was tall and excessively slender. None the less, Hansen held up her half of the pas de deux with admirable aplomb.

Takeuchi had by this time established his impression as a steady, thoughtful partner and his
ability to present in a style appropriate to the pas de deux. From the civilized charms to the hunter is a decent contrast. The minimal mime was clear and he managed a revoltad at the end of his variation. In one instance his turns overshot slightly in upstage right, but his recovery smoothed it over.

Terrence Marling created an interesting pas de deux to Bach’s Partita No.2 in C. Minor titled Minor Manner. Marling was obviously influenced by early Balanchine, but it was a happy departure iin the evening. Takeuchi and Hansen were dressed in short black tunics for a refreshing classical exercise,
and movements where the pair ducked each other’s heads.

Katia Garza, Mexico and Seriu Brindusa, Romania danced the Flames of Paris pas de deux as adapted by Fernando Bujones. Bujones must have a clear understanding of what is required of a tall dancer, for Bindusa handled the adaptation really well and the couple danced with a warm confidence. Garza is dimunitive and compensated for her tiny size with gestures and port de bras that Canterna might well emulate.

For their contemporary number, Garza and Brindusa created Just for Two to Astor Piazzolla’s
Adios Nonino, a clever exposition of female pursuit, rejection, agreement and the macho male being overcome by affection only in turn to be rejected. A lively number, I wouldn’t be surprised if it winds up on the Gala program.