Swindon’s very own Neon Dance is about to put local talent on the international map, after receiving a coveted invitation to perform as part of RISING Festival this June at Melbourne Recital Centre.
Photo by Damien Raggatt
RISING is Australia’s leading winter festival of new art, music, and performance - a bold, boundary-pushing event that transforms the heart of Australia’s second-largest city into a playground of unexpected creativity. Curated by Co-Artistic Directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek, the festival promises to be "proudly challenging and uncompromisingly inclusive," featuring an extraordinary program of 65 events, 327 artists, 15 new commissions and nine world premières.
Among these world-class acts, Neon Dance will present the Australian première of their acclaimed production Last and First Men. The company received the prestigious invitation following sold-out performances at Europe’s Rewire Festival in The Hague and CTM Festival in Berlin.
Adrienne Hart, Neon Dance’s Founder and Artistic Director, said: “This is truly huge news for our small-but-mighty company. When I started Neon Dance in Swindon in the early 2000s, I could never have imagined we'd be performing on the other side of the world. We're incredibly proud to be representing Swindon’s creative spirit internationally.
“Our dancers - Fukiko Takase, Kelvin Kilonzo, and Aoi Nakamura - will perform Last and First Men for an audience of around 2,000 people. We can't wait to share the work, meet other creatives from around the globe, and bring fresh inspiration home with us.”
Set in a distant future where humanity faces extinction, Last and First Men resonates powerfully with conversations happening right now about environmental responsibility and the need for global cooperation, asking audiences to reflect on our place in history - and our duty to those who will come after us. Original music and film by the late Icelandic composer Johann Jóhannsson, combined with haunting narration by Hollywood legend Tilda Swinton, add to the live dance performance and striking costume design.
After its journey to Australia, Neon Dance will tour the production internationally and in the UK later this year and in 2026. Supported by Arts Council England, full details will be announced soon, but be sure to save the date: 26 September, for a major South West homecoming at one of Bristol’s largest concert halls. Follow Neon Dance or sign up for updates to stay informed.
Last and First Men was created with support from CTM Festival Berlin, Sadler’s Wells, Swindon Dance, and Pavilion Dance South West, with funding from Arts Council England.
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