‘Air Time’ Elevates Its Boundary-Breaking Art Into a Category All Its Own

Some nights at the theatre leave you questioning why you made that particular choice of production. Other nights it all comes together and and you left in awe of what the sum of human endeavours can achieve. That is what happened on Tuesday night at the Seymour  Centre when the cast of Air Time pushed the envelope and left the audience breathless with their display of skills across a menu of arts disciplines founded in the streets.

A production of Branch Nebula’s co-artistic directors Lee Wilson and Mirabelle Wouters, Air Time breaks the boundaries of traditional theatre by elevating marginalised street practices to the realm of polished performance art.

We have all seen street performers of dance, parkour, skaters and roller skaters practising in parks and shopping centres, but we seldom think of what would happen if they take their nascent skills to another level.

And then combine with experienced producers, choreographers, lighting and sound designers and you have an idea of how Air Time has come about.

With over 35 years experience as a performer/ dance and a director of Branch Nebula since 1999, Lee Wilson has the street contacts and skills as a director to take this multi-national and  informal talent and hone into something transcending the  conventional tropes of what represents theatre.

Air Time is theatre unlike any other

Air Time is theatre without an over-arching narrative, instead comprises of a series of vignettes that all succeed in holding you attention as the performers execute complex manoeuvres across two wooden ramps that are miked for sound reinforcement, adding depth to the performances.

Some of the more defined sequences include dancer Cloe Fournier playing out a tussle of affections with two male dancers that is both athletic and poetic in its execution.

As the parkour artist and b-boy Alejandro Scarone displays great skills across his two disciplines while Austin Gray takes board skills to another level.

Feras Shaheen is an award-winning performer and dancer who brings a counter point to the show while Xavier Gilbee on the BMX pulls off genuinely dangerous stunts by himself and others engaging the other cast members.

Visually stunning in leisurewear and knee-pads roller-skater Tia Pitman shows what can be done on wheels, made all the more astounding when she has only been roller-skating for three years.

Sound design and composer Phil Downing ingeniously combines live action sound from the ramps with his own beats and music, while lighting designer Fausto Brusamolino highlights the action with clarity and precision.

‘Elevated art into a category all of its own’

Air Time is a show in constant motion, with no beats to set up the action, and that is due to what choreographer Marnie Palomares has brought to the show, which is all pulled together by production manager and sound effects designer Alejandro Rolandi.

As stage manager Madelaine Osborn not only has to ensure the safety of the ramps, but must also make sure that the stage is clear of ping pong balls after one memorable sequence that sees the performance area covered in the aformentioned balls during a sequence featuring a giant silver slinky.

Air Time and Branch Nebula has taken what many do not consider art and elevated it into a category all of its own, and it’s a space we are glad that they are in.

Air Time is on from 7-11 January at the Seymour Centre.