WOOF

Work by Melanie Lane

★★★★ “A thrilling dance work flush with wit and invention” – Daily Review

Information

Overview

Set to a hypnotic electronic score by UK musician Clark, Melanie Lane’s electrifying and critically acclaimed WOOF imagines a futuristic, apocalyptic fantasy with masterful choreography “like nothing… seen in dance before” (★★★★ ½, Audrey Journal).

Trailer

Cast & Creatives

Choreography: Melanie Lane
Music: Clark, commissioned composition
Costume Design: Aleisa Jelbart
Lighting Design: Verity Hampson
Cast: Ariella Casu, Dean Elliot, Chloe Young, Janessa Dufty, Dimitri Kleioris, Jacopo Grabar, Liam Green, Luke Hayward, Emily Seymour, Jesse Scales, Mia Thompson, Victor Zarallo

Media & Audience Reviews

★★★★ “WOOF is stunning, wildly inventive work” – Limelight

★★★★ “Witty and fresh” – Sydney Morning Herald

★★★★1/2 “Absolutely electrifying” – The Audrey Journal

“Contemporary dance at its best” – The F

“It is intelligent, stimulating choreography – both very artistic and hugely enjoyable, and showcases the discipline and professionalism of the ensemble” – bachtrack

“Spectacular… quirky, energising and the clear crowd-favourite” – Fjord Review

WOOF kept us on the verge of ecstatic release, then sent us into the night burning with incompatible desires” – Audience Member

Performance History

Performance History

2019

26 March - 13 AprilRoslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay, SydneyNSW
2 - 4 MayCanberra Theatre CentreACT
8 - 11 MayArts Centre MelbourneVIC
16 MayWarragulVIC
18 MayFrankstonVIC
22 MayBendigoVIC
25 MayMilduraVIC
27 JulyDarwinNT
31 JulyAlice SpringsNT
3 AugWhyallaSA
8 - 10 AugAdelaideSA
8 - 10 AugHobartTAS

In Creation: Melanie Lane’s WOOF

Behind the music of WOOF

Discover More

"Putting work out there is exciting precisely because I can’t predict the intricacies of how other people will experience it. It’s life affirming. There are many variables of ‘human’ and we don’t have to conquer them. Sometimes we can just be curious." - Clark Read More.

"I hope WOOF evokes a multitude of experiences for the audience. I think there are many sentiments in the work that speak of community, belonging, collective power and vulnerability. Mostly, I think there is a definite sense of transformation, how being human can be messy, outrageous and beautiful." - Melanie Lane

Read More

Cheat Sheet

“I hope WOOF evokes a multitude of experiences for the audience… Mostly, I think there is a definite sense of transformation, how being human can be messy, outrageous and beautiful.”

Melanie Lane is a choreographer and performer based in Melbourne. As a choreographer, Melanie has established a repertory of independent works performing in international festivals and theatres including the Sydney Opera House. In 2018, Melanie won the Keir Choreographic Award for her work Personal Effigies.

WATCH: Melanie create WOOF in the studio.

Fun Fact: Melanie frequently collaborates with UK electronic musician (and her husband) Chris Clark, to choreograph his live shows. He has also scored four of her contemporary dance works.

“The composition for WOOF draws from both classical and electronic textures, a musical triptych that begins with a dissonant acoustic cello piece that deconstructs and morphs seamlessly into a seductive digital realm.”

Chris Clark has worked with music and sound for 16 years. Signed at an early age to the British indie label Warp Records, he has released nine albums as well as a multitude of EPs and singles. His last studio album, the eponymously titled Clark, was rated as Best New Music by Pitchfork.

WATCH: Clark’s live show for his album Death Peak, featuring choreography from Melanie Lane.

LISTENClark picks his favourite tunes on our Spotify playlist.

WOOF imagines what the future could look like. The atmosphere is moody and mysterious, with subtle colour shifts in lighting and dancers emerging out of the darkness, dressed in nude and earthy tones.

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Information

Overview

Set to a hypnotic electronic score by UK musician Clark, Melanie Lane’s electrifying and critically acclaimed WOOF imagines a futuristic, apocalyptic fantasy with masterful choreography “like nothing… seen in dance before” (★★★★ ½, Audrey Journal).

Trailer

+

Cast & Creatives

Choreography: Melanie Lane
Music: Clark, commissioned composition
Costume Design: Aleisa Jelbart
Lighting Design: Verity Hampson
Cast: Ariella Casu, Dean Elliot, Chloe Young, Janessa Dufty, Dimitri Kleioris, Jacopo Grabar, Liam Green, Luke Hayward, Emily Seymour, Jesse Scales, Mia Thompson, Victor Zarallo

+

Media & Audience Reviews

★★★★ “WOOF is stunning, wildly inventive work” – Limelight

★★★★ “Witty and fresh” – Sydney Morning Herald

★★★★1/2 “Absolutely electrifying” – The Audrey Journal

“Contemporary dance at its best” – The F

“It is intelligent, stimulating choreography – both very artistic and hugely enjoyable, and showcases the discipline and professionalism of the ensemble” – bachtrack

“Spectacular… quirky, energising and the clear crowd-favourite” – Fjord Review

WOOF kept us on the verge of ecstatic release, then sent us into the night burning with incompatible desires” – Audience Member

+

Performance History

Performance History

2019

26 March - 13 April
Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay, Sydney
NSW
2 - 4 May
Canberra Theatre Centre
ACT
8 - 11 May
Arts Centre Melbourne
VIC
16 May
Warragul
VIC
18 May
Frankston
VIC
22 May
Bendigo
VIC
25 May
Mildura
VIC
27 July
Darwin
NT
31 July
Alice Springs
NT
3 Aug
Whyalla
SA
8 - 10 Aug
Adelaide
SA
8 - 10 Aug
Hobart
TAS
+

Behind the Scenes

In Creation: Melanie Lane’s WOOF

Behind the music of WOOF

Discover More

"Putting work out there is exciting precisely because I can’t predict the intricacies of how other people will experience it. It’s life affirming. There are many variables of ‘human’ and we don’t have to conquer them. Sometimes we can just be curious." - Clark Read More.

"I hope WOOF evokes a multitude of experiences for the audience. I think there are many sentiments in the work that speak of community, belonging, collective power and vulnerability. Mostly, I think there is a definite sense of transformation, how being human can be messy, outrageous and beautiful." - Melanie Lane

Read More

+

Cheat Sheet

“I hope WOOF evokes a multitude of experiences for the audience… Mostly, I think there is a definite sense of transformation, how being human can be messy, outrageous and beautiful.”

Melanie Lane is a choreographer and performer based in Melbourne. As a choreographer, Melanie has established a repertory of independent works performing in international festivals and theatres including the Sydney Opera House. In 2018, Melanie won the Keir Choreographic Award for her work Personal Effigies.

WATCH: Melanie create WOOF in the studio.

Fun Fact: Melanie frequently collaborates with UK electronic musician (and her husband) Chris Clark, to choreograph his live shows. He has also scored four of her contemporary dance works.

“The composition for WOOF draws from both classical and electronic textures, a musical triptych that begins with a dissonant acoustic cello piece that deconstructs and morphs seamlessly into a seductive digital realm.”

Chris Clark has worked with music and sound for 16 years. Signed at an early age to the British indie label Warp Records, he has released nine albums as well as a multitude of EPs and singles. His last studio album, the eponymously titled Clark, was rated as Best New Music by Pitchfork.

WATCH: Clark’s live show for his album Death Peak, featuring choreography from Melanie Lane.

LISTENClark picks his favourite tunes on our Spotify playlist.

WOOF imagines what the future could look like. The atmosphere is moody and mysterious, with subtle colour shifts in lighting and dancers emerging out of the darkness, dressed in nude and earthy tones.