Walking into Carriageworks for the opening night of ‘VISTA’ by Stephanie Lake Company, I knew I was in for contemporary dance. What I didn’t expect was to leave questioning just how differently two people can experience the exact same moment.
Stephanie Lake’s latest work is one of those rare productions that rewards curiosity. Structured across two acts with an interval at its heart, ‘VISTA’ cleverly asks audiences to revisit what they’ve just seen through an entirely different lens. It’s the theatrical equivalent of hearing a familiar story told by someone else and suddenly realising you missed half of it the first time.
The first act is all restraint – precise, monochromatic, and meticulously constructed. Six phenomenal dancers move through Robin Fox’s hypnotic electronic score with astonishing synchronicity, while Bosco Shaw’s razor-sharp lighting sculpts every gesture into something almost architectural. I found myself completely absorbed, trying to decipher patterns as they unfolded.
Then comes Act Two.
Without spoiling the surprise, the world expands. Colour replaces monochrome, emotion spills into movement, and scenes that previously felt clinical suddenly become deeply human. It’s fascinating to watch familiar choreography transform simply through context. Stephanie Lake doesn’t just change what you’re looking at; she changes how you see it.
The dancers – Marni Green, Robert Tinning, Georgia Van Gils, Tyrel Dulvarie, Rachel Coulson, and Hugo Poulet – are extraordinary throughout. Their athleticism is undeniable, but it’s their ability to shift effortlessly between precision and vulnerability that makes the work so compelling. Alpha60’s contemporary costumes perfectly complement this evolving visual language.
Few productions genuinely surprise me after the interval. ‘VISTA’ did exactly that. It’s bold, intellectually playful, visually spectacular, and emotionally rewarding. Whether you’re already a fan of contemporary dance or simply looking for something unlike anything else currently on Sydney stages, this is a performance that lingers long after the final blackout.
Abour the author: Yara Vasina is an international education specialist, Churchill Fellow, and arts writer who loves discovering Australia’s most memorable cultural experiences.
Further information
‘VISTA’ runs 5–8 August 2026 at Carriageworks, Sydney (approximately 90 minutes including interval). Tickets are still available!
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Carriageworks.
Image credit: Pippa Samaya / Carriageworks.
