Plexus | Heath Ledger Theatre | Until Feb 20 | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Prior to viewing last night’s performance of Plexus, I was concerned that I would not be able to fully appreciate the work as someone without a strong sense of the history and scholarship of dance. These worries dissipated almost immediately, as I sat – mouth agape – and absorbed one of the most incredible works of contemporary art I have ever seen.
French Choreographer Aurélien Bory was most canny in naming the performance piece. ‘Plexus’ explores the interweaving of body and space, of light and dark, of sound and silence, of self and environment, perhaps even life and death through the boundless talent of dancer Kaori Ito.
The show opens on Ito, standing before a draped black sheet that covers the entirety of the immense stage. Ito suddenly stoops to the ground and shoots a microphone from the base of her dress up to her heart, the crackle of fabric against the sensitive microphone sending a discordant shattering the silence and calming to make room for the beat of her heart.
The sounds of the microphone shifting across against Ito’s body creates a live soundtrack as she moves her body to create beautiful ripples against the cascading sheets, with such control that allowed her to command the waves to cease.
Ito parts the sheets to reveal the stage, two parallel floating platforms connected by what must have been hundreds of taught strings from ceiling to floor – inspired by the concept of a marionette. As the performance unfolds, Ito works in harmony with and rails against the strings, as light helps to create incredible shapes and motions using her body and the set.
The simple yet unique stage is used in the most incredible ways, finding an entirely new way for Ito to explore the space throughout the work. Ito seamlessly shifts between the ethereal and the corporeal, slipping into shadow and emerging into light. The ingenious use of light and sound made it seem Ito had traversed tremendous distance without moving further than the edge of the stage.
The authenticity of emotion and tension Ito is able to convey with her body is prodigious, at times holding herself with the utmost grace, others renouncing control and emitting a pure chaotic energy. There was a moment where she actually elicited an audible gasp from me, as I was caught in the awe of the moment.
Ito’s performance is dark, ethereal, reflective, inspiring and evocative. The concept is brilliant executed, with flawless set and sound design. The audience’s applause was so raucous that Ito had to return thrice to the stage for a bow. I highly recommend you see this performance while you have the chance.
Plexus is at Heath Ledger Theatre until Saturday 20th February. Tickets and information available from perthfestival.com.au.
Leigh Hill
