Polarity – Melbourne Fringe Festival

 It’s not every day that you witness the transformation of the roof top of a multi-storey car park into Antarctica, but as I stood in the heart of Melbourne I travelled further than I ever dreamed possible.

MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL 2011 Presented: With assistance through the Australian Antarctic Division’s Australian Antarctic FellowshipVenue: Federation Square – Car Park Roof TopWednesday, 5 October, 2011

It’s not every day that you witness the transformation of the roof top of a multi-storey car park into Antarctica, but as I stood in the heart of Melbourne I travelled further than I ever dreamed possible.
Tina Evans was the first dance artist to be selected for an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship and in 2010 she sailed to Antarctica. Evans met sound artist, Philip Samartzis, on the voyage and from there Polarity was born.
Directed and choreographed by Evans, Polarity takes you on an intimate journey to Antarctica that will astound your senses. Through sound and movement Polarity explores nature at its best as the ice heaves and crumbles its way into your soul.
The extraordinary soundscape for Polarity has been made entirely of real recordings of Antarctic Ice and it is this element that makes this production truly incredible.  
I felt like I was standing on a ship with other tourists watching, transfixed, as nature performed before our very eyes. We witnessed the cycle of life as the ice was born and grew, crumbled and fell and returned to itself once more.  
Staged on the roof top, open to the elements, with the cool wind blowing and the air crisp, this choice of venue was perfect. Not having a background in dance, I am unable to comment on the standard of the dancers however, I was mesmerised by the way they contorted their bodies remaining inter-connected despite the expanse of the space.The performers included Jeni Sutton, Cara Thomas, Heidi McKerrow, Hayley Thompson, Cathy Young and Rhiannon Ferris.  
This exquisite production is a feast for the senses and the soul – don’t miss this work. Image by: Lucia Ondrusova 
Polarity runs until October 8th, 2011 Federation Square Car Park Roof TopCnr Flinders & Swanston StMelbourne, Victoria
For further details and tickets phone (03) 9660 9666 or visit www.melbournefringe.com.au