Newcastle Dancers Defy Gravity in Civic Park Fountain Performance
The delicate arc of a dancer's foot sweeps through the air, trailing a shimmering line of water as it barely grazes the surface. Behind her, the Civic Park fountain sprays water across the rugged contours of Margel Hinder's monument, a tribute to Newcastle's industrial heritage. This is the stunning scene from Acquist, a free contemporary dance showcase that transforms the city's iconic fountain into an unconventional stage.
A Stage That Floats and Challenges
Zoe Monohan twists her body into another pose, sliding gracefully across a floating platform that rests just beneath the water's surface. Because the fountain is protected as a significant heritage item, regulations prevent the platform from touching the floor, creating a unique and unpredictable performance environment. Artistic director Cadi McCarthy likened the experience to dancing on a paddleboard, where every movement must contend with gravity and buoyancy.
"Doing what we're doing is pretty cool," Monohan remarked about the show, which opens for a three-night run from Thursday. "But then, doing it on a floating platform is a whole other story. You're working against gravity and buoyancy, which is interesting."
Preparation and Public Engagement
Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub, commissioned through the City of Newcastle's special business rates funding program, has remounted Acquist after its debut at the original New Annual festival. The dancers rehearsed for over a month, locking moves into memory and developing techniques to find purchase on the constantly shifting stage. To prepare for the slippery terrain, the company even trained on a slip-and-slide.
"Every show has its little difference," explained dancer Jordan Bretherton. "This might be a little bit slipperier today, or maybe the water is coming in differently. There's always something."
Monohan, who has danced with Catapult for a few months, described the performance as a rare experience that fosters collaboration with the public. "It's almost like a collaboration with the public," she said. "You can't help but stop and watch. We had people coming yesterday who had heard the music from their homes and needed to come by. It was beautiful to have such a congregation of people coming together just to see one thing."
Technical Challenges and Artistic Risks
The performance demands intense focus, especially during lifts and complex maneuvers. "For most of the boys, we're constantly lifting," Bretherton noted. "So, we're figuring out our own weight, and then adding another person on top of that, on top of a floating platform with water flowing in. It's an entirely different kind of focus."
Monohan emphasised the artistic value of such challenges, saying, "You want to take risks in dance. It's really cool, and it's really difficult."
Event Details and Community Impact
Acquist opens on Thursday at 6.30pm, featuring performances by First Nations artist Zachary O'Donnell and Newcastle musical talent Zackari Watt. A companion in-conversation event is scheduled for 2pm on Saturday, January 24. This innovative showcase not only highlights local artistic talent but also engages the community in a unique cultural experience, blending heritage, art, and public space in a gravity-defying display.
