The West Australia Ballet’s State features two works. Melanie Lane’s Slow Haunt, and Adam Alzaim’s GAINSBOURG. The two pieces are perfect foils for each other. GAINSBOURG, set in a Paris bistro, is all flesh and blood; and Slow Haunt isn’t, set as it is in the underworld where flesh and blood are seriously wanting.

Both short works were created for The WA Ballet a few years ago and in their success have been lengthened for its 2023 season.

Alzaim, a demi-soloist with the West Australian Ballet and emerging choreographer has long admired Serge Gainsbourg, an important (if controversial) French cultural figure of the 20th century. Gainsbourg was described by journalist Francine Gorman (The Guardian, 2011) as France’s answer to David Bowie, Mick Jagger and John Lennon all rolled into one. His most recognised song is perhaps Je t’aime mois non plus, suggestively sung with his partner Jane Birkin but originally dedicated to Brigitte Bardot with whom he had a short affair.

Juan Carlos Osma and Polly Hilton in Adam Alzaim’s GAINSBOURG. Photo © Bradbury Photography

GAINSBOURG is set in a hazy basement bar filled with the usual hedonistic patrons and misfits through whom Gainsbourg (Juan Carlos...