Essence Unfolding
Te Auaha, Tapere Nui, 65 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington
14/02/2025 - 16/02/2025
Production Details
Ollie Green – performer / creative developer
Chris Rex – Director
BatWing Circus
Step into the enchanting world of Essence Unfolding, a circus / contemporary dance fusion, with a smattering of poetry/spoken word created by 16-year-old Ollie Green.
Come and experience the heartache, the joy and the journey of discovery of a person struggling with identity – but ultimately, the journey of growing into one’s self.
NZ Fringe Festival 2025
Te Auaha Tapere Nui
14-16 February 2025
6pm (+2pm 16th)
45 minutes
$12.50/17.50
No Restrictions
Richard Green / He Waka Eke Noa Charitable Trust – Producer
Steve Coubrough – Designer
Dance , Circus , Spoken word ,
45 mins
Engaging simplicity, openess and versatility
Review by Deborah Pope 15th Feb 2025
Essence Unfolding is one of the first shows at Wellington’s ever-exciting NZ Fringe Festival: 35 years-old and with over 100 shows in 2025, the programme now includes seven Circus shows.
It is always a pleasure to go to Te Auaha – its welcoming presence now under threat due to funding and budget cuts. Te Auaha is an asset to a vibrant Wellington arts life. Its programmes teachers, theatres, art gallery and students bring life to the city and contribute greatly to the cultural value of the capital.
Tonight is no different as an audience is gathers in the bar to be ushered in to Essence Unfolding in Tapere Nui at 6pm.
Hanging in a very bare space is an aerial ring with a performer – Ollie Green – contorted around it. There is also a trapeze in the space but nothing else.
As the lights dim, the recorded text and movement of the performer on the ring create a sense of an internal dialogue. The use of spoken word, circus and very simple movement choreography create pace and place as the performer moves between the floor, monologue and the air. The feeling is abstract and explorative.
The audience are held by the elfin shock-haired performer whose simplicity, openess and versatility are engaging. This feels like a young exploration of form, movement, text and the air which can only develop.
Confidently performed and produced – creatively devoped by Green and directed by Chris Rex – the solo performance is 40 minutes long. The soundtrack is simple and effective .
As the Fringe programme states about all the work: “Magical mahi”.
***
For reviews of the 2024 Auckland season: https://www.theatreview.org.nz/production/essence-unfolding/
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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