marathon,O,marathon

marathon, o, marathon, is a moving chorus, a strange nagging, a something about now. 

Consider the world today, there is a lot to hold at once, we have multiple climate crises, global conflicts and growing power imbalances. Some say we are repeating history, whilst others say the times we live in are unprecedented. In many ways we are running a marathon and a sprint at the same time. The work attempts to capture this feeling by placing the macro against the micro, and the individual next to the collective. Using imagery of medieval dance manias and fallen knights, next to collapsed marathon runners and states of protest, was a way to gesture towards a certain kind of human conviction that stretches across time. What I hope marathon, o, marathon evokes is a desire for us to keep going but to do this with tender and persistent attention to each other. 

This project was made possible by all the fabulous dancers and the extraordinary Ella-Rose Trew for her unfailing support and input. This project was grounded in the collaboration with Isabella Stone, James O'Hara, Zendra Giraudo, Luci Young, Tristen Parr, and Renée Newman .

Choreography: Emma Fishwick

Artistic Collaborator: Ella-Rose Trew

Sound Design: Tristen Parr

Lighting Design: Alexander Berlage

Costume Design: Aleisa Jelbart

New Breed is co-presented by Sydney Dance Company and Carriageworks. It is proudly supported by Principal Partner The Balnaves Foundation.

All photos: Pedro Grieg, 2025.