[Dance, Australian Premiere, Australian Exclusive]
Re-Shaping Identity
Space Theatre
Sat 28 Feb,2026
This Australian premiere (from dance duo GuoGuoHuiHui) featured an empty stage and modern dress for much of its 75 minutes or so, with five dancers supplying all the detail, heart, and identity needed.
Seemingly so simple at first, this begins with a short explanation about how what was to follow would explore themes about the modern versus the traditional, the individual and the collective, and the quest for identity. The rest of the quintet then emerged and began the series of often-intense physical vignettes, each to the tune of typically thumping electronic beats and rejigged classics.
Each member of the troupe then stopped, one at a time, and talked about who they were, with big subtitles projected upon the stage behind them. Chen discussed her Yao heritage, and how she sometimes feels disconnected from it, while mostly smiling, but the Tibetan of the group was more melancholy, and then he slowly danced alone.
As they spoke, the others would usually gather to move beside or behind them, sometimes directly complementing what was being said, and often in differing styles and with exaggerated expressions. And it must be said: when Garika tells us about her Uyghur heritage, it’s hard not to think of the dark and complex history of this group’s treatment by China.
Finally, when the last dancer relates how she feels about her Wuhan background, the mood changes: a fake-grass-like carpet is rolled out, and the other dancers begin adorning her with traditional Chinese apparel, even as they appear with neon fringes, gaudy get-ups, and sub-BDSM metal.
Beautiful, moving, and certainly mysterious, this does have glimmers of humour, but the driving need to know who we are (and to reshape our identities) is mostly no laughing matter.
4 stars
Dave Bradley
Re-shaping Identity continues at Space Theatre at various times until Mon 2 March. Purchase tickets HERE.
#TheClothesline
[Dance, Australian Premiere, Australian Exclusive] Re-Shaping Identity Space Theatre Sat 28 Feb,2026 This Australian premiere (from dance duo GuoGuoHuiHui) featured an empty stage and modern dress for much of its 75 minutes or so, with five dancers supplying all the detail, heart, and identity needed. Seemingly so simple at first, this begins with a short explanation about how what was to follow would explore themes about the modern versus the traditional, the individual and the collective, and the quest for identity. The rest of the quintet then emerged and began the series of often-intense physical vignettes, each to the tune of typically thumping electronic beats and rejigged classics. Each member of the troupe then stopped, one at a time, and talked about who they were, with big subtitles projected upon the stage behind them. Chen discussed her Yao heritage, and how she sometimes feels disconnected from it, while mostly smiling, but the Tibetan of the group was more melancholy, and then he slowly danced alone. As they spoke, the others would usually gather to move beside or behind them, sometimes directly complementing what was being said, and often in differing styles and with exaggerated expressions. And it must be said: when Garika tells us about her Uyghur heritage, it’s hard not to think of the dark and complex history of this group’s treatment by China. Finally, when the last dancer relates how she feels about her Wuhan background, the mood changes: a fake-grass-like carpet is rolled out, and the other dancers begin adorning her with traditional Chinese apparel, even as they appear with neon fringes, gaudy get-ups, and sub-BDSM metal. Beautiful, moving, and certainly mysterious, this does have glimmers of humour, but the driving need to know who we are (and to reshape our identities) is mostly no laughing matter. 4 stars Dave Bradley Re-shaping Identity continues at Space Theatre at various times until Mon 2 March. Purchase tickets HERE. #TheClothesline
Re-shaping Identity ~Adelaide Festival 2026 ~ Dance Review
Re-shaping Identity ~Adelaide Festival 2026 ~ Dance Review
2026-03-01
The Clothesline
Dave Bradley
80
Beautiful, moving, certainly mysterious, and with glimmers of humour.
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