“As ambitious and as heads-down,
hair-prickingly exhilarating as modern
dance gets.” The Telegraph (UK)
Hofesh Shechter
Company
(UK)
Political Mother
An all-out visual and aural assault
from one of choreography’s most
prodigious new talents.
After his astonishing Australian debut
at the 2009 Festival, the much feted
Hofesh Shechter returns with his first
full-length work, the critically acclaimed
Political Mother.
A powerhouse performance that meshes
traditional Jewish folk dance with a
jackbooted live soundtrack of military
drums and electric guitars, this production
finds Shechter at his most innovative and
impassioned, the work a strident clarion call
to the oppressed peoples of the world.
Over the course of 70 minutes Shechter’s
dancers lurch through the authoritarian
nightmares of recent human history –
fragmented snapshots of political tragedy
play out alongside a score as indebted to
hard rock as it is to the aesthetics of modern
dance. In one moment a samurai warrior
moves with force and grace, in the next a
malevolent dictator rants and raves at his
cavorting subjects, his voice almost lost
amid the growl of guitars.
This is choreography of almost unparalleled
ferocity: the jumps are sharp and
unexpected, the pace staggering, the
dancing furious. A vital melding of politics
and movement, Political Mother is a forceful
interrogation of community and nationhood,
and the ways they are manipulated and
twisted in the pursuit of power.
Event Information
the Arts Centre, Playhouse
Wed 12 – Sat 15 Oct at 8pm
Thu 13 & Sat 15 Oct at 2pm
1hr 10min no interval
A Reserve Full $85
A Reserve Groups (8+) $76.50
A Reserve Concession $63.75
B Reserve Full $68
B Reserve Concession $51
Student (A & B Reserve) $25
Transaction & booking fees may apply
Save up to 20%. See page 73 for details.
the Arts Centre 1300 182 183
theartscentre.com.au
Ticketmaster 1300 723 038
melbournefestival.com.au
Commissioned by Brighton Dome and Festival, Sadler’s Wells and
Movimentos – Festwochen der Autostadt in Wolfsburg. The work is
co-commissioned by Biennale de la Danse de Lyon, Théâtre de la Ville,
Romaeuropa and Mercat de les Flors
Produced in collaboration with Theatre Royal, Plymouth and with support
from DanceXchange, Birmingham
The score for Political Mother was created in collaboration with the Guildhall
School of Music & Drama and barbicanbite09; with research supported by
Jerwood Studio at Sadler’s Wells
Collaboration with FOS supported by Outset
Hofesh Shechter Company is supported by Arts Council England and is
Resident Company at Brighton Dome
Image Gabriele Zucca
Ted Baillieu MLA
Premier of Victoria
and Minister for the Arts
Welcome to the 2011 Melbourne Festival.
This year’s Melbourne Festival will
bring to our state a program of new,
edgy and diverse works, direct from
stages and galleries around the world.
It will also provide us with an
unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the
strength, dynamism and talent of our
local artistic community.
This year Victorian companies staging
world premieres at the festival include
Chunky Move and Victorian Opera,
BalletLab, Ilbijerri Theatre and
Geelong’s Back to Back Theatre. These
groups are already well recognised and
celebrated on the world stage, so don’t
miss the chance to see them at home.
We are proud to form part of the State
Government’s long tradition of generous
support for Melbourne Festival to
ensure Victorian audiences see the
best of fresh ideas and diverse cultural
experiences. In the coming weeks there
is much on offer, from live music to
visual arts, theatre, dance and family
events. I hope to see you there.
Ted Baillieu
Propulsive, forceful and possessed of
a savage beauty, Political Mother is a
masterful work from one of the most
exciting minds in contemporary dance.
Warnings Loud music, strobe lighting,
onstage smoke effects, adult concepts
“Detonates on stage in a scattershot of shattering political
imagery. A work of galvanising challenging power.”
Performed by Hofesh Shechter Company
Choreography & Music Hofesh Shechter
Lighting Design Lee Curran
Costume Design Merle Hensel
Sound Design Tony Birch
Principal Public Partner
The Guardian (UK)
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