7 November 2026 (matinee). The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, Canberra
A particularly interesting part of one media release that was available regarding Alter, the latest creation from Liz Lea and her colleagues, included a section that made connections with two defining aspects of the city of Canberra— the work of Walter Burley Griffin, designer of Canberra (with his wife Marion Mahony Griffin), and the brutalist architecture that came to the fore in the city in the mid 20th century. That particular media release stated:
ALTER speaks to the brutalist architecture of Canberra’s design and its surrounding nature. Just as Walter Burley Griffin’s designs were based on the natural topography of the land, ALTER draws from the natural topography of the body.
Alter, which is part of the 2026 BOLD Festival and as well part of 2026 Art + Design Festival, consisted of two short works, 3 and Virtual View, and the whole was made on just six dancers from Malaysia and Australia with Virtual View including some dancers living with a disability.
Choreographically Alter was beautifully fluid throughout, especially with regard to the arms and upper body. The word minimalist also came to mind.
But behind the apparent minimalism was something more complex. In 3, the three dancers involved performed in front of an ever changing background of creative patterns, frequently black patterns and often against a white background. Those patterns were often geometric but frequently broke out into unusual shapes, which were constantly moving and changing shape. It was a bit like being inside one of Canberra’s best known brutalist buildings, the National Gallery of Australia where an array of shapes fills the space.
In Virtual View the imagery was more human and used more colour but, as with 3, changed as the work proceeded.
What was especially remarkable, however, was that shadows of the dancers also appeared on the background as if they were interacting with the imagery. So often in a dance work, when background imagery consists of movement (such as film), the dancers themselves become subordinate to the imagery. This was not the case with Alter.
Both works in Alter were beautifully conceived and brought to the stage. The work as a whole was collaborative, inclusive, immersive and just beautifully produced and danced. An absolute joy from every point of view.
Michelle Potter, 8 November 2026
Featured image: A moment from Alter. Photo: © Shankar Laxminarayan
Directors: Liz Lea and Peta Khan
Choreography: Liz Lea and company
Performers: in 3 Luvenia Kalia, Aida Redza, Jareen Wee; in Virtual View Lim Yu En, Mia Rashid, Aida Redza, Katie Senior, Jareen Wee
Creative technologists: Low Zi Xiang, Steve Voon
Lighting design: Karen Norris
Commposer and Musical Director: Kay Ansah
Technical Director: Roni Wilkinson
Sound Operator: Kyle Sheedy
Production Manager: Anni Doyle Wawrzynczak
Events Marketing Manager: Christopher Carroll
Facilities Manager: Paul Portelli
Sidestage Production Services: Craig Dear
I saw this show as a member of the general public. My ticket cost me $30.