Adelaide Festival Centre Presents Tanja Liedtke's Final Work 'construct' 7/22 Thru 7/25

Adelaide Festival Centre is deeply honoured to present ex-Adelaide choreographer Tanja Liedtke's final work, construct, for four performances only from 22 - 25 July at the Space Theatre.

construct was initially presented as a work in development through Adelaide Festival Centre's inSPACE program in 2005. It was then commissioned by London's Southbank Centre and premiered there to critical acclaim in May 2007, followed by a UK tour and sell-out season at the 2008 Sydney Festival and in Seattle at On the Boards in April 2009, before undertaking an Australian national tour which will finish with these Adelaide performances.

Candid, complex and clever, construct exposes the dark underside of building a dream. It starts with an empty theatre full of possibility - a space in which to construct. Effortlessly shifting between the physical act of building and the emotional construction of lives, Liedtke explores with wicked humour the curious connections between building a home, a life, a relationship, and a future.

In August 2007, at the age of 29, Liedtke was accidentally killed in a road accident. She had been about to take up the prestigious position of Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company. This tour of construct features original cast members and choreographic collaborators Paul White and Kristina Chan, who are joined by Lisa Griffiths. construct is directed by Solon Ulbrich, Liedtke's partner in life and business.

Solon Ulbrich comments: "This esteemed cast of Australian dance artists are performing with passionate physicality, presenting a stunning and engaging piece of dance theatre. construct is in demand worldwide but we are more thrilled to tour across Australia. In presenting this
tour we sustain and share Tanja's vision, formed and nurtured here in Australia, and continue to construct an exciting future for Australian contemporary dance."

construct won two 2008 Helpmann Awards (Best Choreography & Best Male Dancer - Paul White) and more recently three 2009 Australian Dance Awards (Outstanding Achievement in Choreography, Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance - Tanja Liedtke and Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer - Kristina Chan).

"construct could apply to many things, from personal careers and relationships, to larger matters. We build cities and destroy them. Great civilizations fall apart. Things increase and decrease. It's a universal subject, something that is inherent in the world." Tanja Liedtke

Conceived and Directed by Tanja Liedtke. Choreographed by Tanja Liedtke in collaboration with Kristina Chan and Paul White. Creative Co-ordinator & Remount Direction by Solon Ulbrich. Set and Lighting Design by Ben and Geoff Cobham, Bluebottle. Sound Design by DJ TR!P. Dramaturgy Consultant: Joshua Tyler. Performers: Kristina Chan, Lisa Griffiths, Paul White.

Warning: This show contains nudity. At the Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre. 22-25 July, 8pm. Adults $35, Conc $30, Group (6 +) $29. Online at www.bass.net.au.

Adelaide Festival Centre's inSPACE season offers audiences a vibrant, high-quality alternative to mainstream theatre productions.

construct was originally developed with funding from the Australia Council for the Arts, Arts SA and the Keir Foundation; with commissioning funds from The Southbank Centre (London) and Tanja Farman (through the National Endowment of Science, Technology and the Arts); and with support from CultureLab City of Melbourne and the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Photo Credit: Robert Pearce

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