Equations of a Falling Body
A Perth Festival Commission
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Distant forces beyond our control intervene in everyday lives in Laura Boynes’ world premiere of Equations of a Falling Body.
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Our contemporary world is wildly unpredictable. The ‘elsewhere’ of distant forces – climate, cosmos, politics, memory – continually intervene in our everyday lives. It’s mostly beyond our control – encountered as idle distractions, radical interruptions or insistent voices inside that re-shape and cypher our thoughts and desires. Equations of a Falling Body sets those forces in motion, using real time choreography to create conundrums between James O’Hara, Ella-Rose Trew and Timothy Green, three of Perth's most virtuosic physical performers. Comic, bleak and profound by turns, what emerges is our capacity for resilience through striking and impromptu cinematic sequences to leave you both reflective and hopeful.
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Crafted and live-conducted by Laura Boynes, one of WA’s finest choreographic talents, Equations of a Falling Body is a mesmerising, immediate and relevant performance attuned to our post-digital age.
Winner
Outstanding Ensemble (Dance)
Best Contemporary or Experimental Performance
The Performing Arts WA Awards, 2024
Nominated
Best Production (Dance)
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Choreography
Laura Boynes
Best Contemporary or Experimental Performance
Outstanding Sound Design
Tristen Parr and Felicity Groom
Outstanding Composition or Arranging
Tristen Parr and Felicity Groom
Outstanding Stage Design
Bruce McKinven
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Outstanding New Work (Dance)
The Performing Arts WA Awards, 2024
Photo by Emma Fishwick, 2022
Photo by Emma Fishwick, 2022
Photo by Emma Fishwick, 2022
Photo by Emma Fishwick, 2022
Performance Dates:
February 21 - 26 2023
Studio Underground
State Theatre Centre of WA
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★★★★
"The work of the performers was astonishing in its openness, honesty, fearlessness and tenderness, and required a similar spirit from the audience – to laugh, to accept, to wonder and to grieve. It’s rare to see something as daring and risky as this, especially in a festival setting, and I applaud everyone involved – but especially Boynes, for having the courage and vision to expose and embrace the unknown, in all its nakedness and terror."
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Wolfgang von Flugelhorn, ArtsHub
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"Laura Boynes’ Equations of a Falling Body is an explosive assault on the senses; a mix of dance and physical theatre... backed by a chilling sound design and passionate composition (Felicity Groom and Tristen Parr)... Innovative, visually stunning and totally memorable."
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"The choreography involved protracted, liquid movements, and all three performers demonstrated great strength and control in its execution. The dancers were often required to clamber awkwardly on top of each other, and I enjoyed seeing the intense trust between them."
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"Equations of a Falling Body is more of a performance art happening than a dance show per se. The piece is executed by three highly talented movers in Ella Rose Trew, James O’Hara and Timothy Green"
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"What’s special about this work are the striking and varied images that are made by each of the performers... highlights include Tim standing on the front of large fan appearing like the Vitruvian Man and Ella-Rose gently tumbling through a silver tunnel.
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It may challenge and confuse you at times but, if you allow it, you’ll no doubt find great reward and enjoyment from it too."
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Team
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Choreographer
& Director
Laura Boynes
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Performers
Timothy Green
Ella-Rose Trew
James O'Hara
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Sound Designers
& Composers
Felicity Groom
Tristen Parr
Set & Costume Designer
Bruce McKinven
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Lighting Designer
Matt Marshall
Movement Consultant
Adelina Larsson
Dramaturg
Anthony Coxeter