The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave at Abbotsford Convent - Industrial School

“An international sweaty hellhole and the cesspit I so desire to be trapped in for 48 hours. The likes of the Berlin and New York underground rave scene have always fascinated me. I believe another version of myself exists somewhere in a piss-covered club where I’ve chewed through my cheeks and some guy’s kids are spilled down my back. I am galvanized and roused by rave culture and everything it encompasses.”

From Aotearoa New Zealand, Oli Mathiesen with Lucy Lynch and Sharvon Mortimer present the award-winning 'The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave', an endurance-based dance work to the booming techno album 'Nocturbulous Behaviour' by Suburban Knight. Exploring the movement vocabulary used in techno and rave culture, a contemporary nightclub between 3 bodies emerges. Relentless movement, seamless without pause, detailed down to every beat. The atmosphere and culture of a 3-day rave condensed into a high art, streamlined performance where you watch the destruction of 3 human beings commence in front of you. Indulge in the pain, the sweat; a display of pure endurance to achieve a goal. A spectacle of the human body as a victim to music, as a victim to passion, as a victim to our endless desire to achieve more. To win and win again.

Resuscitation on repeat. It is the come up and the come down all in one and highlights the beauty of feeling alive but all the consequences that come with it. It’s an ode to the past 3-year marathon of losing societal morals and political structure. Our communal loss of work, time, love, sex, eating, fighting, cleaning, holidaying, sleeping, pashing, drinking, throwing up, everything, physicalised as an artifact of what we as a people have endured. And just like listening to a love song that sings to that one breakup you had, 'The Butterfly Who Flew Into the Rave' is an acid house remix that screams f**k you to the pandemic.

Supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Abbotsford Convent, Creative New Zealand, and Melbourne Fringe. Presented as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival 2024.

Winner of the ‘PANNZ - Edinburgh Fringe Festival Summerhall Award’ at PANNZ Arts Market 2024

Winner of the ‘Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award’ at New Zealand Fringe Festival 2024

Winner of the ‘Sydney Fringe Tour Ready Award’ at New Zealand Fringe Festival 2024

Winner of the ‘Momentous Movement Award’ at New Zealand Fringe Festival 2024

“a powerhouse in all aspects.” - Theatreview

“an extraordinary dance work; a marvellous simulation of an intensely vigorous, volatile and transcendent rave. I am left feeling violently jealous not being able to join in under the infectious and lingering techno pulse.” - Theatreview

“Absolute f*cking mental and physical stamina. The energy. The possession. The rave!” - Audience

“Had me gagging, sweating, gyrating, squirming in my seat. It is a total must see.” - Audience