The lights drop, plunging the stage and audience into darkness. The only sounds to be heard are excited, wriggling young audience members and the tap of the shoes onstage as the band makes their way to their instruments. A booming voice echoes throughout the arena …
The Australian Calisthenics Theatre Company (ACTC) bring to life a vivid story through dance, song, and light. Over the course of six scenes, the audience is introduced to the elements that make up Mother Nature: earth, fire, water, wind, light, and sun. Each element has a lesson to teach Mother Nature so she may grow into who she is meant to be. Each scene focuses on one element, and the choreography beautifully represents the emotion and inner turmoil Mother Nature experiences with her time spent with the element, as well as the element herself.
I say ‘the element herself’, because each of the elements are powerful women and girls, showcasing their hard-earned strength, athleticism, control, and finesse. For fans of calisthenics, you might be questioning if Mother Nature feels like a competition. It does not – you still get your typical march, free exercise, graceful, rods, and clubs, but this is a story, so each category melts together to bring a beautifully aesthetic performance carefully crafted to make you gasp, cry, sigh, and smile.
The lighting swirls on both stages, the colours reflecting the element speaking with Mother Nature, from a cooling green-blue to an almost alarming orange-red, and every colour in between. The lights roll and dance as though they are part of the ensemble, while the screen at the back of the stage rotates through images which reflect, and match, both the lighting and the dancers. Undulating lights breathe life into both of the stages, not only giving it life, but weaving into the story.
Unlike an average dance performance, Mother Nature not only boasts a double stage connected by two runways, but also a live band and singers. JD Smith (one of the Ten Tenors) was a visiting performer, pairing his vocals with female singer Chloe Castledine and ‘The Cast’ orchestra. The musical score is an original soundtrack for Mother Nature; inspired by the elements, each song carries the audience through the chapter, evoking emotion and a depth of emotion the likes of which was Broadway-worthy. Some of the songs were, in fact, Broadway songs, so remember to keep an ear out and you might find yourself admiring the Stars, while Defying Gravity and gazing Into the Unknown. Excerpts and covers of popular songs from Sam Smith, Lada Gaga, and Celine Dion also sneak their way into the performance, among many others, winding and melting together seamlessly.
The performance is so enrapturing that after two scenes, you couldn’t blame yourself for not realising the performers had already changed costumes multiple times. While Mother Nature has her signature look, each element has a leotard leaning closer to a work of art, and the ensemble joins with dazzling complementary pieces. The leotards boast thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of jewels, gems, and beads, shimmering with every breath under the light.
The story of Mother Nature is one of strength, of perseverance, and hope. Inspiring not just to women, but all genders. Mother Nature celebrates storytelling, music, and life through dances designed to take your breath away and leave you full of wonder.
To book tickets to Mother Nature An Arena Spectacular, please visit https://www.auscalisthenicstheatre.company/whats-on/mother-nature.
