Meryl Tankard Directs Adelaide's Restless Dancers In ZIZANIE

Australian dance icon Meryl Tankard and Australia's award winning Restless Dance Theatre have joined forces to present the world premiere of Zizanie by Meryl Tankard, for the 2019 Adelaide Festival.

Zizanie, which celebrates the beauty in difference, is a mesmerising tale for the whole family and will play from 14 - 17 March in the Space Theatre.

There are many meanings for the French word Zizanie: discord, mischief, chaos, stirring up trouble, messing around, messing about.... It can also mean weeds. But according to visual artist Grayson Perry, 'weeds are just flowers in the wrong garden'.

Zizanie follows the story of a grumpy man who thinks he always knows best and wants everyone to be as boring as he is. In his garden, order comes first, there's no place for weeds, or trouble, or fun. He can build a wall to keep out the Zizanie, but life will find a way in.

Meryl Tankard says, 'The work is a response to where the world is heading. More and more we are forced to be neat and tidy and ordinary. People are labelled and we are expected to fit neatly into a box. If someone is slightly different they are frowned upon? Culture, dance, music, all the fundamental aspects of humanity are being eradicated. I cant imagine a life without creativity, our imagination is vital to our well being.

The grumpy man could be a bit Trump-like, wanting to build walls to keep out anything that challenges his power.

'I also realised the importance of showcasing the Restless artists' unique bodies on stage, their striking personalities and their perspectives of the world. The Restless artists may not fit the stereotypical dancer image but it is in their difference that you will see their beauty and creativity. I have built a close rapport with the dancers in Zizanie and I am excited by their honesty and inspired by their refreshing 'no filter' uninhibited physical responses'.

Grayson Perry's quote really captures it "Weeds are just flowers in the wrong garden" The notion that some people find weeds beautiful and others pull them out and throw them away is such an eloquent metaphor for how some people view those with disability in our society.'

Restless Dance Theatre's Artistic Director Michelle Ryan says, 'It is an honour to have Meryl working with our dancers to create a fantastical world for families to enjoy. The work is completely different to anything we have done before and audiences will be delighted by this charming, and beautiful production"

Zizanie is conceived and directed by Meryl Tankard with video design and photography by Regis Lansac; set and costume design by Jonathon Oxlade lighting design; AV by Chris Petridis; and sound design by Luke Smiles. The Restless Dance Theatre ensemble for Zizanie comprises; Chris Dyke, Kathryn Evans, Jianna Georgiou, Michael Hodyl, Dana Nance and Michael Noble.

Zizanie is presented by Adelaide Festival and Restless Dance Theatre in association with the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Restless Dance Theatre acknowledges the support of the Australia Council for the Arts, the federal government's arts funding and advisory body and the SA Government through Arts South Australia and Carclew.

This project has been generously supported by James Darling AM and Lesley Forwood, the Adelaide Theatre & More Social Club and Creative Partnerships Australia through Plus1.

The Adelaide Festival season is supported by the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation.