Theatre
REVIEW: Shadowland – Wonderment for the Family
For the first time in New Zealand; international theatre sensation Pilobolus Dance Theatre brings us Shadowland, direct from the USA. One would deem this the ultimate theatrical experience and the heightening of the artistic senses. Wonderment for the entire family- Shadowland cast a spell on its audience with colourful, storytelling prowess and an enchanting tale of illusion and dance.
Reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, Shadowland tells the story of a girl who falls asleep and finds herself inexplicably caught in a world of shadows. Among the main themes of the show involves the young girl becoming a “dog-girl,” who yearns for independence; is something better watched than explained. Another poignant part of the show was how deep her dreams became as she went further into Shadowland– an almost twisted and seductive host of characters begin to emerge. There is no written script or speech involved in the show, the story is told via interpretative dance and props, in other words the storyline to the show is mere guesswork. Sometimes almost sinister in appearance- this luminous playground of evocative dance, breathtaking acrobatics and potent visuals was also host to original pop and rock ballads by American musician, producer and film composer David Poe and created in collaboration with the lead writer for the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants; Steven Banks. A dance rendition to “Empire State of Mind” by Alicia Keys also made for a memorable end to the beautiful show.
Shadowland will be playing at The Civic from the 3rd to the 8th of June and makes for a must watch for the entire family.
