EXCLUSIVE: We Go Behind The Scenes Of Client Liaison's Expo Liaison Rehearsal

With a view to shining a spotlight on Client Liaison's in-demand choreographer Mitchell Woodcock, Bryget Chrisfield entered The Cave and discovered the penultimate rehearsal for their Expo Liaison set in full swing with Monte Morgan repping his band's own CLDL fashion line. 

Nestled between Better Health Company and Alpine Framing on Bond Street, Abbotsford — the industrial part — lies The Cave. We know we've arrived at the right place thanks to a DIY sign utilising masking-tape letters.

We gently open the door (*creeeeeeaaaaak*) and walk gingerly through a waiting room of sorts, with a couple of toilets off to one side, toward the sound of voices. Beyond this room is large rehearsal space and we're immediately greeted by Tom Tilley and Monte Morgan of Client Liaison, the latter (of course) sporting a windcheater from the band's CLDL (Client Liaison Deluxe Line) High Leisurewear collection. We're told the dancers are on a break at the moment and Monte points across the room to identify their choreographer Mitchell Woodcock. Monte nods his head vigorously to illustrate praise, repeatedly saying of Mitch, "He's good!" 

There's memorabilia everywhere inside The Cave — both Die Hard and Die Hard 2: Die Harder framed posters grace the back wall, a Superman-themed pinball machine rests against the 'stage right' wall. 

We wander over and introduce ourselves to Mitch. His towering stature and perfect posture immediately give his profession away and Mitch has sparkling blue eyes and a warm smile. 

The Perth-born, Sydney-based dancer-choreographer tells us that the first job he scored with Client Liaison was when they were pulled in at the last minute for 2017's Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardis Gras party for which they had just one day to prepare. Mitch also worked with Client Liaison on their A Foreign Affair world tour — including that super-memorable Splendour In The Grass set featuring Tina Arena — and admits that while working with the band on an ongoing basis is "fun", he's a "perfectionist" and so cringes if there's even a single slip during performance to mar his choreography. 

As a dancer, Mitch also has an impressive CV, landing roles in internationally acclaimed musicals including West Side Story, Wicked and Kinky Boots, the latter for which Mitch not only performed in drag and danced in six-inch heels for the very first time (he shows us some photos and it just has to be said that Mitch looks amazing in drag!) but was also Dance Captain. 

While bassist Tom Tilley tweaks some knobs and admires some pedals, Client Liaison's four female dancers chat, check their phones and lounge around on a couch on one of the space's stages, which is cluttered with musical instruments, consoles, laptops and setlists — one of which we identify as belonging to Crooked Colours (the band name is written on top of the setlist). 

The dancers get busy writing down their names and home states (where they were born and where they now base themselves) for this article: Sophia Laryea (from Queensland, based in Sydney), Cassie Bartho (Newcastle, NSW), Lauren Elton (Sydney) and Mitch's Expo Liaison assistant choreographer/dance captain Gaynor Hicks (from Queensland, based in Sydney).

Mitch explains they're running behind schedule, before telling us a bit about the work that goes into choreographing a show such as Expo Liaison. First up, Mitch flew into Melbourne to spend a couple of days with Monte. He then took Monte's concept and ideas for Expo Liaison back up to Sydney where he worked with Gaynor to create the choreography. Then a further few days were spent passing this choreography onto the dancers and setting their formations. 

Today is day two of three days attended by the whole Expo Liaison ensemble. 

Nikita Miltiadou (audio engineer/TM) introduces himself and requests that we don't publish any photos of the set before the first Expo Liaison show at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne tomorrow. Nikita then starts counting down 'til Uber Eats arrival time: "Six minutes!"/"Five minutes!"

Harvey Miller (AO) then approaches to stipulate that if his name happens to "come up" throughout this article we shouldn't forget to include the post-nominal AO since he's a self-appointed member of the Order Of Australia. 

The Uber Eats arrives and is distributed. Monte tells us to help ourselves so we grab a couple of springers. 

It's decided that a timed, full tech run of the Client Liaison set for Expo Liaison is next on today's agenda. But first, Mitch talks Monte and the dancers through some notes. He demonstrates movements, addressing specific dancers that need correcting — the angle of a hand, an incorrectly placed foot. Spacing notes are also given so that dancers can place themselves on the stage in relation to the set behind them for better accuracy. Monte is very hands-on with how he wants every detail and makes some suggestions during this time, which can then be addressed after the tech run. 

"Ok, guys, 30 seconds 'til I press play!" Harvey Miller (AO) warns. The dancers change from trainers into black ankle boots with high, stack heels. Since this run-through will be timed, there's a reminder to just continue through any mishaps because there will be no stopping and restarting at any stage. Monte adds that Mitch will have a pen and paper handy, so members of the ensemble should feel free to yell out anything that they think needs jotting down. 

Sitting on a couch at the front of the performance space, Mitch watches attentively, shifting around and grooving instinctively in his chair while glancing from dancer to dancer to check their timing and execution is up to scratch. Inconsistencies are scribbled down quickly alongside some notes that Monte hollers Mitch's way to ensure all is fully finessed before showtime. 

(Following this rehearsal, Mitch flew back to Sydney to work with Samantha Jade this morning before jetting off overseas later in the day for another international job.)