Shadowland | Regal Theatre | Until 7 August 

Take an idea from mankind’s earliest experiments with fire, segue past vaudeville and the age of electrickery, transmute it through the lens of narrative fiction via musical theatre and you arrive at the spectacle that is ‘Shadowland’.

In 2007, Dance Company Pilobulus appeared at the 79th Academy Awards. That night they caused such a sensation that the Company went away and created ‘Shadowland’, a show seen by half a million people across the globe. This weekend from August 4-7, ‘Shadowland’ returns to Perth and the Regal Theatre. We were fortunate to be part of an almost sold out audience on opening night.

A young girl on the cusp of womanhood enters a surreal dreamscape where her shadow twin embarks on a quest to escape oppressive forces seeking to enslave her before she can truly begin to live. The concept devised in collaboration with writer Steven Banks and singer-songwriter David Poe is by turns lyrical, disturbing, sensually macabre and delightful.

Curiously, for a show whose promotion is centred on the novel use of shadow work, it was this element that seemed the most unfulfilling aspect of the performance. The slightly amateurish quality was overcome by generous use of humour to divert the audience. The most impressive action by far was the physicality of the performers when they danced in front of the screen. The amount of skin on display and the intriguing ‘Pas de Trois’ sequences where the main character appeared to float supported by two muscular young male dancers was particularly captivating.

The performance seemed to flit past. Before we were aware an hour and twenty minutes had elapsed. More surprises awaited the audience however as the cast returned behind the screen and gifted us with a final tribute that linked their home, New York, with our home city of Perth. ‘Shadowland’ is an intriguing blend of theatrical magic that had its audience clapping in time to the music during the final moments.

Shadowlands’ season is limited to six performances so you will want to book your seats now to avoid disappointment. Make sure you book a seat in the middle section of the theatre. While seats toward the edges lend a tantalising view of the slight of hand at work behind the screens, there were times when the lights used to create the shadows were distracting. Have a fun night enjoying entertainment that doesn’t stretch the brain too much.

Charlie Perth