The Inquisition Of The Big Bad Wolf: Dance, Theatre, Spoken Word And Comedy – Adelaide Fringe Review

Tandanya – Tandanya Theatre, Wed 21 Feb. [DANCE – QLD] A fascinating intersection of dance, theatre, spoken word and comedy; where they all come together to explore issues and experiences of mental ill-health. The sound track was simply stunning, as well as modern ambient tracks, a beautifully sung lyrical piece (Run With The Wolf), beautifully sung by the work experience girl, to the Allegro Con Brio from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Part of the initial idea was to unsettle the audience with some offbeat theatre, moving into anxiety played out before us, then to dance. While sometimes I struggle with the language of dance, in this context, anxiety, internal and external conflict, struggles, psychosis, mania, depression – it was all so clear and often mesmerising in and of itself! We, the audience were played, we laughed, we puzzled, we wanted to cringe and by the end, we were participating in howling therapy with the most colourful of guru dancers who, to me, embodied both good (or at least healthy) pharmaceuticals as well as the grounding of hippy style ‘let it all hang out together’. It was a great release and from the participation it was clear that the whole audience was engaged and immersed in this off-beat adventure. Then it was only the whacky ending that remained. The Inquistion Of The Big Bad Wolf is work that has several levels and I can see my internal big bad wolf sitting with my internal red riding hood and contemplating this for quite some time.... 4.5 stars Clayton Werner The Inquisition Of The Big Bad Wolf continues at Tandanya Theatre at Live From Tandanya, at various times, until Sun 4 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe Image courtesy of FenLan Photgraphy