FOR as long as mankind has been around shadows have evoked mystery and fear - or been used in simple entertainment.
With global touring phenomenon Shadowland, audiences at Dubai World Trade Centre (tonight and Saturday) can enjoy a brief taste of how the use of light, darkness, dance and imagination can produce a timeless and genre-busting theatrical spectacle.
Shadowland is a groundbreaking and fantastical world of dark and light – both literally and in terms of its themes.
With shadows as its backdrop and main medium, it calls upon ingenious physicality and imaginative use of props, limbs and more to create the dream state world of a young girl.
It follows a nighttime adventure in which the teenager at the centre of the story dreams her way beyond the confines of her bedroom – namely becoming a 'dog girl hybrid' and embarking on a curious, otherworldly journey of friendship, love and danger.
With shadows as its backdrop and main medium, it calls upon ingenious physicality and imaginative use of props, limbs and more to create the dream state world of a young girl.
It follows a nighttime adventure in which the teenager at the centre of the story dreams her way beyond the confines of her bedroom – namely becoming a 'dog girl hybrid' and embarking on a curious, otherworldly journey of friendship, love and danger.
CREATURE DISCOMFORTS: Clever positioning of people and lights create theatrical illusions in Shadowland
The result is a feast of clever shadow-driven visuals, underpinned by smart, visionary movements from a cast of often-energetic contemporary dancers.
Their routines happen both behind a selection of large and smaller shadow screens and through non-projected, non-screen choreography.
While the activity on stage is enough to keep most age groups engaged, there are occasional unsettling moments, or mellow spells, that may leave very young ones restless.
Essentially a coming of age love story, the turn of events might also prove slightly baffling to younger eyes - but the cartoonish spectacle and the eclectic soundtrack will keep most, as well as parents and other adults, thoroughly entertained.
Their routines happen both behind a selection of large and smaller shadow screens and through non-projected, non-screen choreography.
While the activity on stage is enough to keep most age groups engaged, there are occasional unsettling moments, or mellow spells, that may leave very young ones restless.
Essentially a coming of age love story, the turn of events might also prove slightly baffling to younger eyes - but the cartoonish spectacle and the eclectic soundtrack will keep most, as well as parents and other adults, thoroughly entertained.
NOT POT LUCK: The farce-like kitchen scene is one of the more memorable parts of this visual treat
The likes of the kitchen scene is one of the more graphic – and better directed to mature audience members – not least with its humourous Gallic-themed song about excess.
While the format and cunning and strategic use of shadow is front and centre of what makes Shadowland unique – and surreal - it would be nothing without the agile and athletic cast of men and women from Pilobolus performance dance company.
Their mix of dance and acrobatics, ballet and circus – drilled into a perfectly timed sense of positioning – brings the action to life.
Honed from years of experimentation in short-form shadow theatre, the company has taken an ancient entertainment technique and turned it into a modern multi-media spectacle.
While the format and cunning and strategic use of shadow is front and centre of what makes Shadowland unique – and surreal - it would be nothing without the agile and athletic cast of men and women from Pilobolus performance dance company.
Their mix of dance and acrobatics, ballet and circus – drilled into a perfectly timed sense of positioning – brings the action to life.
Honed from years of experimentation in short-form shadow theatre, the company has taken an ancient entertainment technique and turned it into a modern multi-media spectacle.
DREAM THEATRE: Expect the unexpected in an intriguing mix of dance and projection that will surprise
It’s a show unlike anything else – beguiling, surprising and engrossing - and for good reason has thus far been witnessed by more than one million people in at least 30 countries.
Essentially conceptualising the power of dreams, Pilobolus created the show in collaboration with musician, actor, comedian and writer Steven Banks and singer-songwriter David Poe.
Heather Jeane Favretto is faultless as the dog girl at the tale’s centre, bringing innocence, curiosity and playfulness as she slips from her bed – itself comprising other dancers – into a world of ruthless chefs, opportunist hunters, walking cooking pots and scary cave creatures.
All the while, her fellow dancers animate and physically create much of the shadow scenery, ranging from huge talking heads and performing elephants to crabs and the Statue of Liberty.
Essentially conceptualising the power of dreams, Pilobolus created the show in collaboration with musician, actor, comedian and writer Steven Banks and singer-songwriter David Poe.
Heather Jeane Favretto is faultless as the dog girl at the tale’s centre, bringing innocence, curiosity and playfulness as she slips from her bed – itself comprising other dancers – into a world of ruthless chefs, opportunist hunters, walking cooking pots and scary cave creatures.
All the while, her fellow dancers animate and physically create much of the shadow scenery, ranging from huge talking heads and performing elephants to crabs and the Statue of Liberty.
SMART MOVES: The talented Pilobolus cast get physical to create this unique show of dark and light
They even contrive some human-made versions of Dubai icons and animals, with a special nod to show sponsors Emirates.
Robby Barnett, Charter Artistic Director of Pilobolus, says: “It is amazing that shadows, something we thought we always knew, have emerged at this point in Shadowland’s life as a new medium and storytelling form.
“It makes me proud to have had the chance to be a part of something that was really a global phenomenon. Shadowland is Pilobolus’s first evening-length show, and we are really excited to stage our show for the Dubai audience.”
DETAILS:
SHADOWLAND continues in Sheikh Rashid Hall, DWTC tonight and tomorrow (Saturday, September 15). Show times are 3pm and 7.30pm.
TICKETS start at AED230 for Silver, AED400 for Gold, AED650 for Platinum, and AED1000 for Platinum (inclusive of DTCM and VAT taxes).
YOU can buy tickets at www.shadowland.ae
Robby Barnett, Charter Artistic Director of Pilobolus, says: “It is amazing that shadows, something we thought we always knew, have emerged at this point in Shadowland’s life as a new medium and storytelling form.
“It makes me proud to have had the chance to be a part of something that was really a global phenomenon. Shadowland is Pilobolus’s first evening-length show, and we are really excited to stage our show for the Dubai audience.”
DETAILS:
SHADOWLAND continues in Sheikh Rashid Hall, DWTC tonight and tomorrow (Saturday, September 15). Show times are 3pm and 7.30pm.
TICKETS start at AED230 for Silver, AED400 for Gold, AED650 for Platinum, and AED1000 for Platinum (inclusive of DTCM and VAT taxes).
YOU can buy tickets at www.shadowland.ae
