Animalising; Becoming Animal / Intense / Imperceptible

Two dancers, Tony Yap and Jack Riley, with a 40-year age difference, showcasing striking contrasts and surprising similarities. These contrasts arise from differences in age, traditional cultures, and dance styles, whilst their similarities lie in their shared intensity-focused aesthetics and involvement in queer subcultures. The performance of 'Animalising' delves into the themes of sexlessness and nakedness, combining them with a captivating trance-like intensity.

Back from a shamanistic bull-trance rituals in East Java the dancers draw out their animalising into states of possession. Mas Agus Riyanto is the supreme trance-master and he induces the dancers into trance zones as he whips, and they morph to become animals, intense and imperceptible.** Additionally, Reuben Lewis spells the ritual by creating and composing a third element, developing the sonic-choreographic trance-scape.

Dancers: Tony Yap and Jack Riley
Musician: Reuben Lewis
Trance master: Agus Riyanto
Film and Photo: Adele Wilkes
Producer: Taka Takiguchi (滝口貴)

Opening Ritual (Wed 7 Feb 6pm-7:30pm, free unticketed)

Agus Riyanto, a Javanese bull-trance shaman, has created a ritual that evokes benevolent spirits/energies. This ritual invites everyone to participate and converge for spiritual well-being at the Abbotsford Convent.

About the Workshop (Sat 10 Feb 10am-3pm)

This trance workshop is an introduction to an ecstatic trance practice of Bantengan — Bull Trance Rituals — in Indonesia. Through reframing and reimagining the traditional form, we explore the intensity of the transformative experiences of becoming animal, becoming intense and becoming imperceptible.