I’ve never seen anything like Volcano. It’s a theatrical trailblazer. Accustomed to looking at a traditional, elevated stage, it was perplexing to take my front row seat and find myself looking into a darkened, glass ‘room’. Very intimate. When the lights came on, I was looking into a shabby living room. Fireplace. Dull, ugly furniture. Peeling wallpaper.
Looking out of place within that interior were two, good-looking, young males: the entire cast. Their actual, here and now existence remained the only certainty as things got unreal.
This award winning production has come from Ireland. It’s the brainchild of Luke Murphy who was director, choreographer, creator and performer. Performing alongside him was London based, Ali Goldsmith.
It didn’t matter that the storyline was fragmented and difficult to comprehend. It enabled the two artists to cut loose in an astonishing show of brilliance. Clearly, they are established professionals as dancers and actors. They covered an array of characters and dance forms involving a staggering amount of dialogue and choreography.
I don’t know how they maintained the level of energy and focus demanded by this complex, cosmic, intellectual and very physical production. Performed to perfection.
The show went for almost four hours. It was comprised of four 45 minute ‘episodes’ with five minute pauses between the first three. The third led to a dinner break for the dazzled audience members.
The production obliterated the boundaries between genre classifications. It drew on various art and entertainment forms. It was multifaceted, multidimensional. It included radio, television, dance and theatre. It was psychological sci-fi with both futuristic and retrospective elements.
It’s not surprising that the production has been acclaimed in Ireland and New York. The Brisbane audience responded with a standing ovation.
Volcano
Powerhouse Theatre – Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm
Performance: Thursday 12 September 2024
Season continues to 14 September 2024
Information and Bookings: www.brisbanefestival.com.au
Image: Volcano – photo by Emilija Jefremova
Review: Michele-Rose Boylan