Review: MORTAL CONDITION Challenges The Secondary Role Of Females In Games

Reviewed by Matthew John Plummer, Saturday 14th May 2016

Mortal Condition, was presented by Larissa McGowan and Insite Arts in the Space Theatre as part of Adelaide Festival Centre's inSPACE program. Dancers, Kialea Nadine Williams and Thomas Bradley, join McGowan on stage where they explore the topic of personae in the world of cartoons, video games, virtual reality, and cinematic adventure inspired by Mike Patton's album, Adult Themes for Voice, with a musical score composed by DJ Tr!p.

It is an extraordinary adventure through the medium of contemporary dance having us ask questions of ourselves such as "Who is playing us?" or "What would your avatar be?". Entertainment comes in many forms with the continuous development of digital/video games, although dance still remains a source of entertainment that can speak volumes to diverse audiences. Whether or not you are a fan of computer games, this work will entertain you and open a window of insight into the human aspect of digital gaming.

A ripple of giggles washes over the audience as Larissa and Thomas deliver the abstract movement of the opening scene with a definite humorous side to the choreography that abruptly brings the viewers; minds to a halt as we realise there is something deeper and more humanly fragile to the message. A sudden moment of silence in the soundtrack draws focus to the rapid breath of the dancers, their movements arriving at an emotional peak in the digital soundscape just at the brink of chaos, followed by stillness, and the tenderness of human touch.

The choreography goes on to present images of gaming, digital battles, with the female avatar character playing a lead role. Victor and victim, conqueror and conquered, which is which, who is playing what role? The fast-paced choreography quickly works through various aspects of this modern, realm sometimes in humour, but other times in a dark representation of what is a vastly popular global trend.

Brilliant and colourful movement compliments the soundtrack throughout, expertly timed and vividly representing the topic in both abstraction and literal imagery. The composition is wonderful keeping the audience on their toes with surprise at the outcome in various moments, the human content to a digital topic is starkly obvious. The shapes, movements and energy of the dancers constantly bring us back to the topic of discussion then suddenly lead us back to the mortal human state so obviously referred to in the title.

Death and rebirth occurs time and time again in a digital world where mortality can be briefly put aside, but never completely forgotten. We cannot escape our Mortal Condition through gaming, but we can take a break from it for a bit! This is great work and highly recommended viewing for anyone Mortal.

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