The House | The House of Alexander
The House to me spoke to Pasifika and Asian communities and the need for the creation of contemporary rituals, spaces and practice. Culture is a living thing. We need to evolve with the time and the needs of our people. In The House their cultural pride is on their sleeves and smiles, even from members who have been ousted by their families, still respectful of their roots. Work like this gives permission for all diaspora queer folk to know and believe that culture, gender and sexuality need not be mutually exclusive and can exist together in harmony, even in excellence.
Guttered | Restless Theatre
The company’s writings on the work mention “denial of the dignity of risk” as one of the central themes explored, a phrase which I hadn’t encountered before, but found so eloquently encapsulated through the metaphor of gutter guards and ramps. As a person without a disability, I felt myself reflecting on this idea of “well-intentioned help”, and the ways in which internalised ableism informs my everyday actions.
Manifesto | Stephanie Lake Company
Manifesto is a feast for many of the senses; a compelling show that offers ‘time away from time.’ Nine drumkits, nine chairs, nine talented drummers, nine dancers, three costume changes, and thirteen creatives combine to create one special 60 minute experience.
Angel-Monster | Phluxus2 Dance Collective
As a trained dancer I went into this show expecting a high level of maturity through the choreography and storytelling techniques and I was blown away by the finished product. It is a clever way to have this conversation about such serious subject matter. I was moved to tears (Rare! I’m not usually one to cry); and I would go and see it again, next time sitting in a different part of the theatre to get an experience from another vantage point.
Aftermath | ADC
The score is complex, pushing us to travel realms and the most human of sounds, the rhythm of our heart beating and directing the audience towards the revelation of hope that is only short lived when nothing is what it should be in this world.
THREE 2.0 | Australasian Dance Collective
The dance pieces intrigued me and left me thinking about the meaning and message behind them. Each piece was abstract and unique, and brought out their own essence, mood and atmosphere. The choreography, utilising various techniques, with both soft and sharp movements, efficiently expressed human being’s emotional boundaries, the surrounding political physical space, our individuality, as well as our relationship with other people.
Between Olas | NUDO
It was evident how dedicated the performers are at their craft. Each performer excelled in what they do, both bringing their own cultures to the stage, and performing in sync with each other, culminating in the dance routines coming off as flawless.
This Time It’s Personal | Sam Evans
Evans came out strong and committed to character, bringing robots, dolls, and puppets to life amidst hectic high energy tricks in a very small space. It was a lot of fun. He is a strong comedic performer and commanded the audience early on with dance techniques you really need to see to believe.
In a show of his versatility, Evans also took us to his darkness and his quiet peace too, all the while holding space, manipulating it with his body… sometimes seemingly defying the laws of physics.
Rhythmology | Ty Goddard
I had the fortune of interviewing Ty beforehand and as often the case when creatives get together, rainbows appear. That time around I was left flabbergasted at the impact, pace and quality of this emerging production. Second time around I left feeling stunned at the slickness of choreography, the blending of multidisciplinary performance, timing, and POC excellence once again sheening in the spotlight
Betwixt | Pink Matter Culture
Every aspect of this work is deeply purposeful. The sequence of the stories speaks to the relationship between the elements. We see the water dance with the air, who in turn fuels the fire, who in turn cleanses the earth, before spirit comes and weaves them all together. Each story is so raw and specific to the performer it belongs to but is told in universal ways.
Distinct | Annikki Chand
I don’t open with ‘this show was created in four days’ as a way of lowering your expectations. In fact, quite the contrary; the fact that Annikki was able to create a work covering hefty themes of identity, culture and gender in such an entertaining way was nothing short of amazing.
Distinct | Annikki Chand
Utilising the energetic, powerful and sometimes aggressive dance moves of krump in conjunction with the fun, entertaining, dynamic bollywood dance style, Annikki took this dance lover on a journey as she fearlessly tapped into discovering her Indian and Finnish heritage, her roots.
Rhythmology | Tyson Goddard & Backbone
It’s 7pm and I don’t want to be late and as we arrive a few minutes past the hour and do the obligatory check-ins, we see the place is teeming with POC people, the familiar feel of Backbone Youth Arts reeks of that uniquely old ozzy bowlo vibe, but as we enter through the next room, the set slips into a shimmering pink backdrop, fully seated with fabulousness dripping, geometry in the ceiling, warm hues with lighting low, you can feel the vibration from the punters peaking with jittered excitement.
Forgery | ADC
All of the instructions are random, which makes each transition hilarious but also breathtaking. My eyes dart from each side of the stage as they transition and morph into many different shapes and movements.
This Ain't No Pussy Show | Kate Harman
Over the space of an hour we explore tropes of toxic masculinity, are presented with provocations on positive masculinity, look at the tangle of ethical motherhood, push it up against the dark heart of a lifetime wrestling with misogyny, and dance around themes of friendship, aging, empowerment, growth, and discovery. A meaty morsel, to be sure.
Common People Dance Eisteddfod 3 | Common People Dance Project
As soon as I walked into the sold-out South Bank Piazza, I was transported back to a school sports carnival – there were banners flying, colour coded teams chanting, and lots and lots of sequins. Videos of performer’s friends and family from across the globe played on the projector, until Neridah Waters (co-founder and MC) took to the stage, donned in Lycra, looking fantastic as ever.
Je Suis Toi | The Sunshine Troupe
The performance began with the three performers being wrapped, tangled, and constricted by long pieces of elastic. As they danced around, they slowly began to free themselves from the constraints.
Street Serenades | Brisbane Festival
I seem to have spent quite a bit of the last week lurking around Brisbane parks (and even a council pool). Don’t worry; I was waiting to see circus, dance, theatre, sword-swallowing, and to catch some local bands. And I wasn’t alone, as I was in the company of a few other hardy souls, as we waited for the latest Brisbane Festival Street Serenade.
Red | Dancenorth
The voyeuristic tone was set from the moment I entered the warehouse. A separate audience bank on the opposite side of the bubble along with the bubble itself were constantly there to remind me I was watching. That I was invading the privacy of the individuals contained within. What could have been read as an invasive observation of an endangered species’ mating dance very quickly became an allegory for the final members of a species scrambling to preserve their world as it collapses around them.
Auntie's Fiafia Night | Casus Circus
Imagine two powerful women with vibrant flower covered moomoos, fanning themselves with woven fans, and big palm leaf plant beside them, laughing and gesturing as the performers take turns trying to earn a smile from them all night long. This shows just how respected elders and women are in Pasifika culture and that was an amazing take away for those who may not be of that background/culture.