Dance is the one of the oldest forms of human expression. ARREST works on combining human movement from several genres to create a landscape and physical expression that further articulates how we, as humans, communicate in our daily lives.
The arts has a purpose to reflect back to communities something about the human condition. An audience is always willing to engage, therefore, ARREST has an obligation to allow them to participate rather than simply observe.
Opera draws on medieval and renaissance influences and since the sixteenth century, has entertained and voiced a myriad of human tales.
ARREST incorporates operatic voices, un-amplified, to capture the essence of what it means to truly connect in a theatrical context.
For centuries craftsmanship, within the arts, has ensured a visceral and complete human experience.
Through engaging traditional crafts within a modern context, ARREST brings together music, dance, voice, imagery and musicianship to bring modern spaces to life.
Whilst technology has opened a door to a greater reach and convenience, the human need to connect has never been more important.
ARREST provides an opportunity to experience an alternative to modern technology. It asks it's audience to discover what it means to be human.
Ballet is the basic foundation for most forms of dance and was developed during the period of Italian Renaissance.
It's craft is defined by dedication, discipline and physical expression.
ARREST seeks to continue the tradition whilst marrying them with their musical origins to tell stories for a modern and diverse audience.
"I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being"
Oscar Wilde.
Introducing physical movement through aerial into a unique architectural space allows an audience to experience theater in a fresh, dynamic way. Height, distance and physical storytelling adds to the effect of an ARREST performance.
ARREST engages the world's most accomplished aerialists to contribute to this unique theatrical concept.
We use aerial to represent the ethereal content of a story. That could be as a spirit within the heavens or of an appropriate symbol.
Utilising dynamic spaces from some of the worlds most interesting and celebrated architects, ARREST adds another layer to these spectacular spaces by bringing them to life with music, colour, imagery and movement.
ARREST tells modern stories within our communities to engage our broad multicultural societies resulting in a communal visceral experience.
We can develop each performance through listening to the communities needs, engaging local artists and stories and creating a performance that resonates.
ARREST provides the opportunity to see grand and spellbinding locations in a different light.
Each site becomes a character within the show and provides it's own dynamic.
Through the use of lighting and production design ARREST changes how we view and interact with architecturally designed spaces.
For centuries storytelling has seen us engage and connect with each other. Through crafts such as writing, music, print and many more, humans have come together to discuss and share stories of humanity.
ARREST, through the many areas of performance craft, carves out tales from each culture and brings them into one space. Theater, within a modern context, needs to reach out and speak to every one of us.
Theater is for you and me. It's for the person next door and their family. It's for the store keeper on the next block and the politician around the corner.
Theater is a potent way in which, no matter our class, political persuasion, cultural background or religious ideology, our common humanity can be shared and understood.
Theater need not be restricted by locality, one's financial position or language. ARREST seeks to bring storytelling, in all forms, to the broader public.
Our stories are about real connection, real experiences and real people.
Utilizing the skills of world class film makers, ARREST brings moving image to each venue.
Customised images are developed to shift your perspective, add to the storytelling within each performance and allow the venue to communicate in a different way.
No two venues are the same and ARREST tells a new story every time.
Socially diverse, culturally diverse and creatively diverse.
ARREST works with artists from diverse communities to present works that are relevant, topical and engaging.
From hip hop to Butoh and opera to rap. Every performance genre is on the table as every community has different needs.
Unique locations with a spellbinding format means that ARREST provides a moving and engaged theatrical experience.
Combining innovative storytelling with hundreds of years of craft and experience, audiences are poised to experience something extraordinary.
Imagine....
....long red flowing silks falling three stories from the skylight of a 400 year old dome. A performer falls from the sky slowly whilst a cellist beneath them, dimly lit, plays a piece from the Renaissance period. The performers strength is apparent. Whilst he falls a soft operatic soprano bites the air around you...
Images on the walls of the five story space confirm the feeling of beauty and elegance. A real life love story plays out all around you.
Dancers move in and around each other whilst a percussive drum fills the space with rhythmic repetition. Dynamic costumes and powerful images create another world, both seductive and alluring.
Each ARREST show creates a different and poignant feeling and experience.
Music drawn from the modern day and the 21st century through to classic masterpieces from the 16th century and beyond.
ARREST provides the opportunity for the young and old to explore the plethora of music that our world renowned musicians offer.
We go to the theater to be moved, to share, to understand, to experience, to laugh, to cry, to feel and to explore.
ARREST regards the agreement between an audience and the artists as integral to the success of any theatrical piece.
We take this philosophy to each development, rehearsal and performance.
A Bel Canto vocal resonates within a large open space. The space comes to life and seems to speak back. The pure voice finds every corner of the space and seems to wrap around you.
ARREST does not use microphones or amplification within indoor performances. This allows us to effect a real and honest theatrical experience for every person in a thrilling and engaging way.
The voice is given a real opportunity to touch ones soul.
ARREST was developed to merge with it's surrounds, not dominate, or control or take over.
Many of life's moments can be simple yet powerful, We take this value into every performance. In our view, simplicity is key to effective communication.
You walk into a space, look up and stare in awe at the surrounds of the building around you. "How did they do this...?" You whisper to yourself.
This is one of the first things we do with a new venue. How and why did they build this? How does the venue feel? How can we integrate the various elements of ARREST into this space? Why do we want to?
These are the first steps when we approach each new performance.
Musicianship can take theater and song to a whole new level.
Combining Bel Canto trained vocalists with highly trained musicians, ARREST searches for the richness and truth in each work.
We ask our company members to challenge themselves and each other, to work harder and to be open.
We ask our audiences to do the same.
Theater needs to reflect the real aspects of your world.
Through beautiful costumes and minimalist production design, we invite you to share an alluring, captivating and moving experience with us.
We invite you to look at the world a little differently so that you can listen to yourself, and your neighbor, a little differently.
ARREST will transform some of the worlds most exciting venues and invites audiences to re discover some of our great architects whilst delving into and being transformed by a plethora of live and engaging theater.
Theater nurtures the soul just as we nurture each other.
ARREST takes the simplicity of life and defines each moment with clarity.
