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Barbara Loots
Figure of 8 Dance Theatre returns to the Baxter Theatre to kickstart their 10 Year Anniversary celebrations with a brand new show, MAZE OF THE MIND.
The production explores how we can find ourselves trapped in a maze of thoughts created by our own emotions, actions and reactions. It is onstage for a very limited, must-see, run until 6 July 2024.
MAZE OF THE MIND is a dance production that is set in the key of “angsty”. Here “anxious” is expressed as a dance-infused verb, as something felt, done by and to someone through movement. It depicts a seamless progression of one state of mind(fulness) into another, and it drags you along in a raging current of feelings. It reveals the anxiety of being trapped, anxiety of being lost in a crowd, anxiety of not being seen or of becoming the scene… anxiety full stop. Metaphorically, MAZE OF THE MIND is a scream coming full circle, oscillating being manic-panic and fluid-calm.
With MAZE OF THE MIND, Figure of 8 Dance Theatre does not disappoint. As is the standard they have set themselves these last 10 years, they keep innovating and pushing the boundaries to produce fascinating movement pieces that tell a story without the necessity of words. Through dance they bridge the lost-in-translation gap that sometimes limits storytelling, by inviting you to experience a narrative through rhythm and beat.
The dance troupe use every inch of the Baxter Studio stage, literally, left to right, top to bottom, stopping short of dancing on the ceiling. It puts to great use the talents of a seven strong company led by the exceptional Shaun Oelf. MAZE OF THE MIND delivers on its promise to entertain. The choreography is sleek, deliberate, and beautiful (even when depicting moments of terror).
The scenic rectangular white “slabs” morph into whatever is needed: walls, stage, bar, mirror, door and more. These “slabs” are used in a manner that reminds one of dream world building (and destroying) found in the movie, Inception. Taking that movie analogy even further, MAZE OF THE MIND in fact feels like a theatrical kick to wake one up from your every mundanity.
MAZE OF THE MIND is a suspense thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You have until 6 July 2024 to see this emotionally evocative production at the Baxter Theatre’s Studio. Tickets can be booked online through Webtickets. Come ready for theatre with a kick.