This dance work, directed by Michelle Ryan, is a response to the work of Expressionist artist Georges Rouault. Ryan explains that the imperfect form of the body and the troubled soul represented in his work resonate with how people with disability can feel and be perceived. Seeing through Darkness is an immersive experience, one that is both a participatory exhibition and a 17-minute performance, in which elements of dance, music, lighting design and moving image are combined. Following the performance, the audience will be able to transform the space themselves – by means of their own shadow, cast in vibrant colour in overlapping arcs on gallery walls. Restless Dance Theatre is Australia’s leading creator of dance theatre by dancers with and without disability. Restless brings artists with diverse minds, bodies and imaginations together to create contemporary dance theatre from everyday lived experiences manifested into beautiful art.
Michelle’s Starting Point
There are many facets that create the human experience. Some are vibrant flashes of joy and achievement while others are the lingering remains of pain and loss. But ultimately, what do we leave behind?
There is an unusual beauty to the work of Georges Rouault. The imperfect form of the body and the troubled soul of the work resonates with how people with disability can feel and be perceived. Some may be confronted while others may see beauty and difference.
Outside of performance times, visitors are able to transform the space themselves – by means of their own shadow, cast in vibrant colour in overlapping arcs on the gallery walls.
Presentations:
- Art Gallery South Australia, September 2020
- James Darling Celebration of Life, October 2024
- WOMADelaide, The Studio, March 2025
- Director Michelle Ryan
- Assistant Director Larissa McGowan
- Composers Hilary Kleinig & Emily Tulloch
- Lighting Design Geoff Cobham
- Costume Design Meg Wilson
- Creative Producer Roz Hervey
- Photos Matt Byrne
Dancers Sidney Debba, Jianna Gorgeous, Michael Hodyl, Bhodi Hudson, Charlie Wilkins, Bonnie Williamson
WOMADelaide, The Studio |
Book NowAccessible Seating
Wheelchair accessible seating is available.
“Seeing through Darkness is a moving response to Rouault’s somewhat despairing vision, echoing it at times but also transcending it to find beauty and brightness in the human predicament. It has to be said that never have the Restless dancers looked so good” – Dance Australia
“It’s a fully immersive experience, and in moments of near-stillness the dancers appear like visual artworks themselves. Seeing Through Darkness is a show that makes the heart sing.” InDaily
“It has to be said that never have the Restless dancers looked so good Dance Australia …this highly emotional and utterly superb performance left me delighted, but drained, and with a tear in my eye. It was marvellous.” – Broadway World
“[This] significant piece makes the strongest possible claim for the restoration of full funding to this nationally and internationally important ensemble.” – The Advertiser
“The lighting is just exquisite….It sort of follows the journey we went on; it starts off dark and monochrome but then he (Geoff Cobham) is able to split the light and these vibrant colours come through….It’s really like he’s painting the walls himself with the lighting.” – SA Life
“The lighting design choices enhanced the overall performance and took my breath away. The audience could manipulate their shadows, which were created by the vibrant lights present in the show. For me personally, this additional experience made the performance even more magical.” – Dance Life
In 2020 Seeing Through Darkness was presented in partnership with the Art Gallery of South Australia who mounted an exhibition of Rouault’s works. The performance took place within the gallery in the context of the exhibition.
Art Gallery 2020 dancers Kathryn Adams, Chris Dyke, Jianna Georgiou, Michael Hodyl, Alexis Luke & Michael Noble.
James Darling Celebration of Life dancers Poppy Anthoney, Sidney Debba, Jianna Gorgeous, Michael Hodyl, Bhodi Hudson & Charlie Wilkins
