Volcano is an epic 4 hour episodic dance theatre work that has been directed, written and choreographed by Luke Murphy.

It was originally performed by Luke Murphy and Will Thompson, and I was asked to learn Will’s role for a 12 show run at the Brisbane Powerhouse as part of the Brisbane Festival 2024.

Volcano also won Best Movement, Best Set and Best Lighting Design with three further nominations for Best Soundscape, Best New Play and Best Ensemble

A serialised, live performance miniseries, crossing the boundaries of experimental theatre, contemporary dance and psychological sci-fi thriller. Acclaimed director and choreographer Luke Murphy blurs the lines of form and expectation, reality and fiction in a brand new hybrid of live performance for a Netflix era, part theatre, part television series, part dance. Spanning four, forty five minute episodes audiences are invited to tailor their own viewing journey between live and online viewing, watching episodes consecutively or all at once for a truly unique audience experience.

On the Brisbane run:

‘While the dance elements alone would have been monumentally impressive, Murphy and Goldsmith also gave beautifully emotional and engagingly theatrical performances…’

Backstreet Brisbane

‘Volcano is a near-flawless production…performed with precision and flair…’

The Arts Hub

‘Murphy and Goldsmith attack every monologue and dance break with intensity and utter commitment….This is cerebral and highly technical theatre requiring incredible execution.’

INreview

Header footage: Volcano trailer by Patricio Cassinoni