As you enter the hall you can see the dancers already on stage, connected in a circle as they move their bodies in a wave. The lights brighten, the sound of rolling waves reaches a crescendo, and history begins.
The lights are simple but effective, rotating from the blue ocean, to a deep red pain, to lighter moments in time. Not missing any queues, the lighting boosts the emotional element, but also grounds the audience in the moment, expertly weaving itself in amongst the story. The costumes are simple; each dancer is wearing a white outfit, and each one unique to the dancer. This didn’t detract from the story, it showed the individuality of the dancers and their unique strengths throughout the performance.
The six performers take their audience on a historic journey, showcasing the battles, oppressions, and struggles, as well as the strength and resilience of Taiwan and its people. The dancers take turns stepping into the spotlight, showing their dancing prowess and skills, and work together seamlessly, their work, training, and teamwork obvious in the way they move with and around each other. They also work with the music, ensuring it is not a separate entity, but another element to the story they are telling.
Music can have the power to engage or overwhelm the audience. For Formosa Viva, the music guides the story along, but it never overpowers the dancers or the story. It adds depth and serves as a solid foundation to the visual aspect of the story. It complements the visuals projected onto the back wall behind the girls, showing the audience when in history they are visiting, but never distracting from their movements for long. The minimalistic set assists with ensuring the audience’s focus on the dancers, the visuals, and the emotions boiling from the stage.
Because even if you are not familiar with Taiwan’s history, at no point will you find yourself questioning what emotions the dancers are portraying. Whether it be through their dancing, their expressions, or interactions with one another, their grief, pain, joy, and everything in between shines through them with ease. The girls manipulate and control their bodies with the strength and prowess of seasoned, hard-working dancers, never tiring or missing a beat. The choreography is planned to within an inch of its life, with feet stepping where hands were a moment ago, bodies brushing past each other, and lifts made to look easy. Their movements and where they’re going next might keep you guessing, but you’ll be utterly enraptured the entire time.
To book tickets to Formosa Viva, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/formosa-viva-af2026.
