SUBTLE. Courageous. Always graceful. When Aman Yap at 56 took to the stage for his own solo show, 'Late Love', it felt as if he left it all on the dancefloor.
The main hall of Damansara Performing Arts Centre was packed to the brim for this dancer's long-awaited solo performance.
At the end of the 90-minute show, Yap received a standing ovation for an endeavour a dancer usually offers when younger. His audience included members of the Kwang Tung Dance Company, whose members garlanded Yap, waving balloons spelling his name. Awww!
He delivered four segments in 'Late Love', and each offered multimedia backdrops of what the segment meant in English and Chinese.
It was moving from the get-go with the well-known 1960s folk song, '500 Miles', playing as Yap danced his ode to his late mother in 'To You'.
He was leaving for the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts on scholarship, and thought he would see his mum again on his return. But sadly that didn't happen.
He twirled the suitcase as he whirled about on the balls on his feet, carried it on his back in lumbering steps, and seemingly wanted to toss it away. When he finally laid his head on his mum's lap, the sorrow and love was palpable.
Then Yap showcased his growth as an artist in 'Soaring'.
He danced through his practice steps, of stretches and strength training, to be great for that few minutes on stage.
He volleyed over a table like it was the oceans he crossed when he danced in New York, before finally returning to Malaysia.
With leaps and jumps, Yap danced about being free like a bird, a message perhaps to parents to let their offspring follow their dreams as his allowed him to do.
The third segment was a fun and riveting watch as Yap gave us his version of fame and fortune.
Togged out like Elton John in concert, Yap sang a Chinese song acapella and danced rhythmically across the stage. He had this lovely, happy smile on his face when tonnes of money notes were dropped on him.
But he just moved away from such fame and fortune, stripped to the bare minimum, as if to say, these were but fleeting interests.
Yap ended with 'Love at Dusk'. The multimedia board stated that Yap lost an eye early in his dance career, and he had asked, "Will I be able to dance?"
Just a few years ago, he had cancer, and had asked, "Will I still be able to dance?"
So, it was obvious to all that Yap was dancing his joy, at being given this second chance. The music was set to an elegant French song, which name eludes me.
The dancer and co-founder of Dua Space Dance Theatre might not have been as energetic and flexible as younger dancers, but it was plain to see that when it comes to art, there's nothing like a master.
The sheer happiness of being able to dance was there for everyone to witness.
I can only say, encore Aman Yap!
