Katrina Lazaroff’s INVOLUNTARY Presented by One Point 618 & Adelaide Festival Centre
By Julia George
It isn’t often that solid contemporary dance adapts a lighter, comedic spin. Involuntary does just that, in effortless style. The piece, which could also be described as physical theatre, pokes fun – tongue in cheek – at the hilarity of our era. Endless disclaimers, warnings, rules are highlighted, along with technology, social media, and modern-day relationships.
Involuntary brings to life the parallels between unconscious physical movement and other unconscious behaviors in society. The juxtaposition that as we become more connected digitally we’re becoming less connected physically is an evident theme throughout.
Performers Ninian Donal, Timothy Rodgers, Veronica Shum and Jessica Statton show off their maturity and versatility in this piece. Not only do they execute the complexity of Lazaroff’s choreography with ease, they are also great actors and their theatricality was strong and punchy.
The projection and lighting (Nic Mollison), and soundtrack (Sascha Budimski) were well presented and complemented the choreography and performers.
A realisation of 21st century complexities, Involuntary will make you think (and laugh) at all the automatic and unconscious behavior we engage in, but more fittingly the simplistic nature of the beautiful ending scene is a reminder of the simple pleasures of realhuman contact.
Kryztoff Rating 4K
2 comments
Disagree completely. What a complete waste of time. The concept as presented could have been more thoroughly investigated, the choreography seemed amateurish for the most part, and the dramaturgy was severely lacking – not to mention that the lighting (arguably the most crucial aspect of a dance piece) didn’t actually service the choreography or the dancers. Such a shame that this wasn’t anywhere near as good as it could have been. Simple = simple.
It intrigues me that when one feels so strongly and makes a comment like that, that you are not brave enough to name yourself. This smacks of a person who did not buy a ticket, so often the case that the weak are so shallow. Bravery belongs to those who stand to be counted.
Richard Seidel