Frank Enstein collaboration results in humorous fantasy for Co3

PERTH’S Co3 and The Farm on the Gold Coast are among the newest contemporary dance companies in Australia, so it seemed a logical step for the two to collaborate on new work Frank Enstein.

Co3 dancers Zachary Lopez, Talitha Maslin and Andrew Searle are performing in the piece created by The Farm co-directors Gavin Webber and Grayson Millwood, which premieres on the Gold Coast on March 31 before a Perth season at Studio Underground from April 5 to 8.

“We needed to think smart about how we present work and build a national profile in a very unstable economic environment,” Co3 artistic director Raewyn Hill said.

“Projects like this have enabled us to not only provide valuable professional development opportunities for our dancers but also support the development of new work by exceptional creators and bring exposure to our art form on a national level.”

A retelling of the Frankenstein story, Frank Enstein developed from a response to themes of self-acceptance, isolation and the struggle to fit in.

Hill said the piece was a humorous fantasy full of The Farm’s wicked sense of humour and high-impact dance.

“Gavin and Grayson have an extraordinary ability to tell stories through a unique movement language,” she said.

“I’m in awe of them as they constantly extend the boundaries of the genre of contemporary dance with their approach to making work and challenging expectations about how we engage.

“They talk about their desire to create work that connects to anyone and is based on universal themes that matter; this work matters.

“We all need to be reminded to courageously look inward and accept the self… to be a little more accepting and a little less judgmental.

“We know we have created a show that speaks to the child in all of us, so we are looking forward to sharing it with our audiences.”

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Frank Enstein

Where: Studio Underground. State Theatre Centre of WA

When: April 5-8

Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au