Motherland

Three Weeks / Dave Fargnoli


A highly physical two hour performance art act about motherhood and gender might not sound like it has broad appeal, but VDT’s absorbing show certainly does. Exploring these themes through dance, physical theatre and live music, there’s little narrative to speak of, just a cycle of powerfully emotive images. What begins as a pristine white space is soon saturated by soil, grass and splashing blood as the company’s ten performers captivate their audience with graceful movement, great musicianship and regular bursts of knowing humour. Perhaps they could have made their point just as effectively in less time, but the well-crafted performance remains inventive and surprising throughout. Intelligent, insightful and intensely intimate, this resonant, relevant show is bursting with life.