THEATRE – Happy As Larry – Preview – 14-17 Aug

HAPPY AS LARRY

Following national and international tours, including a season in London’s West End, Shaun Parker & Company’s Happy As Larry comes to Adelaide Festival Centre’s Dunstan Playhouse from 14 – 17 August.

This energetic performance combines an intoxicating, free-flowing mix of ballet, break-dance, acrobatics and highly physical contemporary dance. The cast of characters is developed from the Enneagram, a psychological system that maps nine personality types: the Perfectionist, the Giver, the Performer, the Tragic Romantic, the Observer, the Devil’s Advocate, the Optimist, the Boss and the Mediator. These diverse characters provide the backdrop to the insightful creativity that plays out onstage. Set to a vibrant electro/acoustic score by Nick Wales and Bree van Reyk, this innovative and moving dance work will enchant audiences as it explores the elusive nature of happiness.

Happy As Larry won 12 Children’s Jury Awards in Perth, a Banksy Award in New Zealand, and toured to ten venues across the UK as part of the Dance Touring Partnership Network. It was also nominated for ‘Most Outstanding Choreography’ in the 2011 Australian Dance Awards.  In 2012 Parker was awarded the Australian Dance Award’s ‘Most Outstanding Production in Youth or Community Dance’ for his direction and choreography on The Yard.

Most recently the company has been nominated for a Helpmann Award for ‘Best Presentation For Children’ for The Yard.

Shaun Parker and Company is a bold new Australian dance company that focuses on delivering the highest quality performing arts by integrating choreographic forms, storytelling, diverse musical styles and theatrical invention.  Artistic Director and Choreographer Shaun Parker has previously worked with leading performing arts companies including Kate Champion’s Force Majeure, Chunky Move, Meryl Tankard’s Australian Dance Theatre, and The Song Company. His works have toured nationally and internationally to critical acclaim.

“It’s smiles all round… You have to welcome a dance piece about happiness… delightful.” Sydney Morning Herald

“… brilliantly choreographed, flawlessly and joyously performed, and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish.” Australian Stage