PERFORMANCE: PARADISE CITY
PREVIEW BY AMELIA GROOM
A skater, a break-dancer, a BMX rider, an acrobat, a dancer and a fallen diva come together in a desolate urban space, in Branch Nebula’s innovative production, Paradise City.
The co-creators Lee Wilson and Mirabelle Wouters brought together the unusual combination of disciplines a few years ago, and integrated them into this tightly choreographed ensemble work that draws on a raw ‘street’ energy.
Looking at the mystery and escapism of city nightlife, Paradise City stars vocalist Inga Liljeström, BMX champion Simon O’Brien, pro-skateboarder Petera Hona, and B-boy Anthony ‘Lamaroc’ Lawang, along with physical theatre performer and acrobat Alexandra Harrison, and dancer Kathryn Puie.
The diva sings to a live score spanning sumptuous Bach, driving beats and the crunching sounds of skateboard wheels. The BMX rider dances from pedal to peg and up on one wheel, his bike spinning around his body as though it’s alive. The performers begin to interact, to steal each other’s moves, and shift between explosively energetic solos and sensual duets.
After premiering at the Opera House in 2006, Paradise City enjoyed a successful tour to major dance festivals in Brazil in 2007, and is now returning to Sydney after a 10 week national that has seen them transforming theatre spaces into urban skate parks in regional centres and capital cities across Australia.
Paradise City
May 28 ‘ June 7
Performance Space, CarriageWorks
245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
$20-$30
Bookings: 1300 723 038 or ticketmaster.com.au
