Sydney Opera House debut for Restless Dance Theatre

Restless Dance Theatre
Lit by a pink spotlight, three dancers (two male and one female) stand wrapped around one another as they look off into the distance. Dancers featured: Madalene Macera, Charlie Wilkins and Bhodi Hudson. Photo credit: Roy Vandervegt

Sydney – Tuesday 13 June 2023. In their Sydney Opera House debut, Australia’s leading inclusive dance theatre company, Restless Dance Theatre, will present their acclaimed new work Exposed – in the Studio from 30 August to 3 September.

Created by award-winning director and choreographer Michelle Ryan and the Restless dancers, Exposed is an evocative contemporary dance work inspired by a moment during the pandemic when Michelle was left feeling vulnerable in a public space. Together with the other lived experiences of the ensemble of dancers, with and without disability, Exposed skillfully portrays a layered, honest and compelling depiction of vulnerability, uncertainty and risk. Through vignettes from daily life, the ensemble visually showcases how building a trusted community allows us to let our guard down, to offer up the pieces of ourselves that are most personal and know that we will be supported. 

Exposed Sydney Opera House
Production image of Exposed featuring dancers Michael Hodyl and Michael Noble. Photo credit: Roy Vandervegt

Offering a vivid counterpart to the choreography, the original and heartfelt composition by Hilary Kleinig and Emily Tulloch (formerly of Zephyr Quartet), and the simple yet striking nature of the lighting and set design by Geoff Cobham, perfectly complement the emotive nature of the work.

Restless Artistic Director, Michelle Ryan says: “I recently had an experience as a person living with disability where I was made to feel very vulnerable in the public space. I felt overwhelmed with fear and distress at the lack of empathy shown. I initially showed my vulnerability but quickly realised the situation required me to show strength. What happens when your usual defences are challenged? Do you stay and fight? What’s your fallback? I am so thrilled to be presenting this story and this work to Sydney audiences in such an iconic theatre.

Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance, Ebony Bott says: “Exposed is a beautiful work exploring internal and external vulnerabilities and how they inform the choices we make in everyday life. The intimacy and fragility these talented dancers bring to life is echoed in the original composition that pulls at your heartstrings. Equal parts graceful and haunting, our audiences will be mesmerised by the exquisite melding of movement, design and music.

Exposed is touring nationally in 2023 including performances in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. 

Exposed Sydney Opera House
Production image of the beginning scene in Exposed. Photo credit: Roy Vandervegt

EVENT DETAILS

What: Exposed
When: 30 August – 3 September 2023
Where: Studio, Sydney Opera House
Price: From $44.90 + booking fee
On-sale:  Insiders pre-sale – 8am, Tuesday 13 June, 2023
                What’s On pre-sale – 9am, Wednesday 14 June, 2023
                General public – 9am, Friday 16 June, 2023