Dancenorth – a Townsville-based dance company – has long been known for making outstanding and memorable works of performance theatre. The company invited two renowned choreographers to create two works for a double bill performance at the Judith Wright Centre on June 23–25. Stephanie Lake and Ross McCormack were provided a brief to help generate an experimental choreographic work and told to select a sound score, create costumes from one pattern and use lighting from one design schematic for the performance.

The resulting production, IF_WAS_ is a surreal melding of styles, blending the ideas of two creative forces into one memorable performance. Stephanie Lake’s half delves into the ideas behind survival, symbiosis and rebirth, while Ross McCormack’s half puts the body at odds with its purpose through unnatural manipulation. If you are interested in seeing dance turned on its head, grab a set of tickets now through the Judith Wright Centre website.