funk (ad)

AWARD WINNING

Winner of ‘Best in Fringe Award’ 2020- Wellington Fringe Festival

Winner of ‘Momentous Movement Award’ 2020- Wellington Fringe Festival

Nominated for ‘The Grand Design Award’ 2020- Wellington Fringe Festival

Nominated for ‘Outstanding Ensemble Award’ 2020- Wellington Fringe Festival

Almost everything is an advertisement these days, you simply cannot get away. The constant reminder of ‘what your life could be like if you had these things’ is beginning to be a bit of a joke. Funk (ad) follows the structure of a ‘game’ if you will. The soundscape directs you to create your own personalised character. We choose the gender, hairstyle, occupation and even the clothes. This ‘character’ then begins their day.

Through physically impressive dance, we show you a daily routine, one you can reflect on. A simple reminder of how crazy and ridiculous this all is and perhaps the success in keeping it simple. The work explores text and movement relationships throughout, which makes for a naturally detailed show with a large variety in movement styles. We explore the art of getting up in the morning to your 6am alarm, brushing your teeth and how one may put on deodorant.

The work was created to connect with more than a dance audience. The aim was to fully stimulate and immerse a patron whom may have no background with dance/theatre while staying integral to creating something with meaning. This is achieved through the highly interactive narrative the sound scape allows for.

Choreographed by Holly Newsome in collaboration with the dancers

Performers Bree Timms, Chris Clegg, Holly Hepburn, Levi Siaosi

Sound curation by Holly Newsome

Lighting/Technical Design by Elekis Poblete Teirney

Funk (ad) was created in Wellington in early 2020 for the Wellington Fringe Festival. The show debuted in March at BATS Theatre. This work hopes to have a second life/redevelopment later in 2020.

Supported by Wellington Dance & Performing Arts, Creative NZ