ADT returns to Melbourne
Australian Dance Theatre has just announced that it will be returning to Melbourne for the first time since 2013, this time with Garry Stewart's global tour de force, Be Your Self.
In this extraordinary creation, Stewart examines how the body is central to our identity and that our notion of the ‘self’ is indeed located in our bodies. Our emotions, moods and psychological states are just as much a component of our physical reality as any other bodily function including our heartbeat or respiration.
“In thinking about the question ‘who am I?’ the body is the most appropriate place to start,” the ADT artistic director explains.
“It’s not just a nebulous concept we carry around in our heads. The discussion of selfhood and identity is so relevant to dance and Be Your Self cross pollinates ideas from philosophy, neuroscience and psychology into an entertaining and action packed whole.”
Since its 2010 premiere, Be Your Self has toured extensively overseas, as well as to Sydney, Perth and a number of Australian regional venues. However, it has never been to Melbourne.
“For me it’s an important work within our repertoire and isn’t quite like anything else that I’ve created,” he says. “Melbourne has a very literate dance community, so it’s exciting to expose our work to such a sophisticated audience who I think will really connect with the physicality and the concepts of the work equally.”
Be Your Self will be performed at The Sumner, Southbank Theatre, Melbourne from August 2 – 5. For more info and to book www.southbanktheatre.com.au.
It will then tour, a reduced format, to Townsville in Queensland, Northern Rivers PerformingAarts Centre in Lismore, NSW, the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba, Qld, Riverside Theatres Parramatta, the Frankston Arts Centre in Vic, and the Mildura Arts Centre in Victoria.
Pictured above: Somewhat elevated: ADT dancers in 'Be Your Self'.
Photo: CHRIS HERZFELD, CAMLIGHT PRODUCTIONS