Everybody trance now: the rise of ritual in dance

Dance works which evoke trance and ritual appear to be enjoying a resurgence. Are they a response to our technologically-mediated world?

Image: Attractor. Photo: Gregory Lorenzutti.

In an age where so many of our conversations are conducted via text message and social media, the opportunity for shared connection and shared purpose takes on ever-greater value and significance.

Simultaneously, as Western culture becomes increasingly harried and time poor, the opportunity to slow down – whether through mindfulness or meditation – is gaining in popularity.

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Richard Watts is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, and serves as the Chair of La Mama Theatre's volunteer Committee of Management. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and was awarded the status of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend in 2017. In 2020 he was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize. Most recently, Richard was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts