Short plays for dancing a NZ first

For the first time a series of short plays by one writer will be performed in a New Zealand production.

Dancing Till We Drop features six 10-minute award-winning plays by Angie Farrow. The show will be performed in Palmerston North and Wellington this month.

Associate Professor Farrow, from Massey's School of English and Media Studies, says the 10-minute format suits people's shorter attention spans and is increasingly popular.

"It seems unlikely that you can write anything of depth in a short time slot, but it's astonishing how much story can be told," she says.

"There's something satisfying about the short form.

"It's just long enough for you to say something meaningful and short enough to keep the energy tight and immediate. I think it's seriously going to take off."

The short versions still have complex narratives and themes and she enjoys how everything is intensified.

"These are physical, highly theatrical works that specialise in compressed narratives - like theatrical haiku, they are explosive, dynamic and emotionally charged," she says.

Dr Farrow describes the six plays as part theatre and part dance, with something for everyone.

"Despite the fact there is one author, I hope audiences will get six very different plays with distinctive voices, because they were written at different times of my life.

"I feel sure the plays will be accessible and entertaining. I love theatre that is in your face and provocative, and explores space and extends the limits of the human body."

An ensemble of professional actors will perform the six plays selected by directors John Downie and Jaime Dorner.

The plays have won several awards and include Tango Partner, Lifetime, Falling, Replay, Nearly There and a debut performance of The Blue Balloon. The Blue Balloon recently won first prize in a Canadian international playwriting competition.

Dancing Till We Drop will run in Palmerston North until Saturday night at UCOL Studio for Performing Arts, Massey's Black Sheep Theatre, and Square Edge; and in Wellington from April 23-27 at BATS Theatre and Massey's Wellington campus.

For more details go to www.dancingtillwedrop.0nyx.com