Message In A Bottle – REVIEW
Image: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE at Sydney Opera House, 2023. Photo: Daniel Boud
A thrilling, fast-paced dance-narrative set to the songs of Sting, Message In A Bottle is as relevant as it is entertaining. Renowned choreographer, Kate Prince, who also came up with the original concept, has created a unique and stunning piece of theatre that will appeal to audiences beyond fans of Sting or dance.
Message In A Bottle features a thoughtfully selected song list from Sting’s extensive catalogue, including solo work and those he recorded with The Police. The songs, in terms of melody and lyrics, have been mostly preserved but are presented with new arrangements; some have had a new vocal recorded by Sting.
The songs have been assembled so that they tell a story, a story that is specific yet universal. It revolves around a fictional village whose tranquility is destroyed civil war. A family — parents and three grown children — is forced to flee, with each member undertaking a treacherous mental and physical journey.
Message In A Bottle is told entirely through dance and it is frenetic, exhilarating and poignant. A mix of contemporary ballet and hip hop, the choreography is expressive without being histrionic, effectively replacing words and punctuation with movement.
Anna Fleischle’s costume’s take their cues from various different cultures without being explicit.
Ben Stone’s set design is minimal, versatile and very clever. Using a handful of physical props, digital rendering, and ingenious lighting by Natasha Chivers, he creates the convincing illusion of an island paradise, a boat on a turbulent sea, and a prison.
This is an extraordinary theatrical experience with a theme that resonates strongly in today’s world. It’s a very short season. Don’t miss it.
