“The Clearing is many things. It’s beguiling, it’s at times frightening, it’s complex, it’s strange, and it even has moments of being uncomfortable. Most of all it is a gripping and unique piece of art that deserves to be seen.”
The Clearing
2019
From the creative brilliance of Arts Laureate Ross McCormack comes a darkly cinematic new work performed by renowned national dance company, Footnote New Zealand Dance. The Clearing is a dance-theatre work inspired by the mysterious energy that exists within forests, hollows and hills, and the supernatural stories we tell ourselves about these spaces.
Set against a compelling score by acclaimed sound designer Jason Wright, the occupants of The Clearing are caught, sheltered and threatened within an otherworldly terrain. Here, in this precarious environment, they wrestle with the elements and with each other.
Like a beautifully shot, indie thriller film, The Clearing overflows with vivid imagery and mesmerising performances.
Creative Team
Choreographer:
Ross McCormack
Sound designer:
Jason Wright
Lighting designer:
Lisa Maule
Dancers:
Georgia Beechey-Gradwell, Tyler Carney, Joshua Faleatua, Anu Khapung, Adam Naughton
Touring Information
Ashburton Events Centre 20 July 2019 (Premiere)
Queenstown Memorial Centre 23 July 2019
Invercargill SIT Centrestage Theatre 25 July 2019
Oamaru Opera House 28 July 2019
Christchurch Arts Festival, James Hay Theatre 31 July 2019
Nelson Arts Festival, Theatre Royal 19 October 2019
Wellington Opera House 24 October 2019
Palmerston North Regent Theatre 26 October 2019
Auckland ASB Waterfront Theatre 31 October 2019
New Plymouth TSB Showplace 2 November 2019
“The incredibly slick, sharp, frantic choreography done individually, in pairs and in larger groups is mesmerising and the interaction of the characters with their props, fabric, the coat, the tripods, speakers and the microphone is a credit to the absolute precision of the choreography.”
Melanie Stewart, Theatreview || The Clearing
“Footnote has succeeded in every sense of the word and can place this work on the world stage… McCormack is willing to tread new territory. Every dancer is beautifully controlled, totally committed, and clearly connected to the piece and to each other.”
