Chunky Move's groundbreaking production UNITED is set to tour to the Heath Ledger Theatre for Perth Festival 2026, marking a significant moment in Australian contemporary dance. This avant-garde performance, co-commissioned by Perth Festival, showcases the Melbourne-based company's innovative approach to blending technology, movement, and sound.
Artistic Vision and Creative Challenges
Artistic director and choreographer Antony Hamilton, who took the helm of Chunky Move in 2018, is known for his creative ambition. A WA Academy of Performing Arts alumnus, Hamilton began his career with the Australian Dance Theatre in Adelaide before joining Chunky Move, drawn by its reputation for performing in unconventional venues like abandoned arcades and nightclubs.
"It was fun and pushing the edge, bridging popular culture and what was, back then, considered high art," Hamilton, 47, reflects. "Chunky Move was a destination I wanted to be at."
Influenced by 1980s and 90s music videos and postmodern art, Hamilton aims to flip performance on its head, creating unprecedented works that present unique imaginative worlds. This commitment is evident in UNITED, where he collaborates with Javanese experimental duo Gabber Modus Operandi on an energy-fuelled soundscape.
Innovative Costume Design and Technical Exploration
UNITED features six dancers transformed into otherworldly beings through motocross-inspired, sci-fi costumes designed by Bali-based streetwear label Future Loundry and Australian animatronic leader Creature Technology Co. Each costume weighs around 7kg, presenting a significant challenge for the dancers.
"From a technical point of view, we've done works with cumbersome sculptural things, but then dancers can't move," Hamilton explains. "We wanted a costume that is agile and articulate, with moving joints to optimise movement."
The costumes allow dancers to have more articulated points than their natural bodies, akin to wearing Transformer-type outfits. Hamilton notes that this elevates possibilities while creating limitations, requiring dancers to retrain and adapt.
Synthesis of Body, Machine, and Spirit
UNITED explores the relationship between human beings and the built environment, synthesising biology with technology. Hamilton describes the work as connecting to a broader body of art that examines this interplay.
"I consider the creation of artistic works very much connected to play and childhood imagination," he shares. "I learned the craft through dancing and studying artistic direction, always paying attention to how projects are orchestrated."
Despite his role as director, Hamilton remains an active dancer, working in the studio with performers half his age, which he says keeps him feeling young.
Tour History and Perth Festival Engagement
UNITED premiered in February 2025 at Asia TOPA in Melbourne before touring to international venues in Venice, Singapore, Taipei, and Hong Kong. Its inclusion in Perth Festival 2026 highlights the event's commitment to cutting-edge performing arts.
The production will run at the Heath Ledger Theatre from February 19 to 22, 2026, offering audiences a rare glimpse into Chunky Move's visionary world. Tickets are available through the festival's official website, perthfestival.com.au.
This tour underscores Chunky Move's status as a leader in contemporary dance, pushing boundaries with each new creation. Hamilton's leadership continues to inspire innovation, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of Australia's cultural landscape.
