Erotica for the Thinking Person

Media Release – 18 June 2012

Erotica for the Thinking Person

Flagrant Productions present
IN FLAGRANTE
Choreographed by Mary Jane O’Reilly

From its celebrated, sell out seasons as part of the Tempo Dance Festival, the Taupo Erupt Festival, New Plymouth’s Right Royal Cabaret Festival, Splore and stand-alone shows across New Zealand, the provocative neo-burlesque In Flagrante returns to Auckland with a series of shows in the great tradition of a night out with dinner and a show at Toto’ one of Auckland’s iconic restaurants, kicking off June 29th 2012.

A simmering combination of contemporary dance by exquisite, highly trained female dancers and a beautifully deviant take on burlesque, In Flagrante exudes a true sense of art. This isn’t your all too familiar bawdy bit of slap-and-tickle – instead it captures the unique Kiwi female attitude, no traditional male MC, just women doing it for themselves, with arresting imagery set to the darkly rhythmical music of Austrian cabaret artist Waldeck.

The audacious creation of legendary NZ choreographer Mary Jane O’Reilly, In Flagrante is erotica for the thinking person – witty, satirical and most importantly, daring. “I’ve seen a lot of boring burlesque which didn’t seem to take enough risks” O’Reilly states. “I wanted to shift the genre up a gear and introduce the satiric eye of a contemporary dance choreographer, as well as someone who is interested in the central subject. Sex, that is.”

“It breaks all the rules on the subject matter” O’Reilly continues. “In contemporary dance terms it’s daring because it’s quite politically incorrect. But it holds its own in a dance context because it goes further, being weirder, deeper and darker than conventional burlesque.”

In execution, In Flagrante demonstrates not only O’Reilly’s signature crisp and snappy style of dance choreography but her cryptic eye for comedic and satirical juxtaposition – from the sexy leather-and-lace romp one expects from a show of this nature, to darker territories, including a wild equestrian spirit...

Performed by some of New Zealand’s most exceptional dancing talents, including Shanelle Lenehan (Company Z, WOW) and Lara Fischel-Chisholm (Stranger Things) as well as Maria Munlowits, Amanda MacFarlane, Molly McDowall, Megan Hughes, In Flagrante has proven to be a sultry intellectual affair and a critical success wherever it may dalliance.

“The show to see”
- Ewen Coleman - The Dominion Post.

“All the elements combine to make this a class act Don’t miss it.”
- Theatreview

Flagrant Productions will also be offering “MojoCabaret”; a series of classes that will teach willing participants some of the moves from the shows. Students will delve headfirst into the world of neo-burlesque, complete with props of scarves, whips and handcuffs – which is guaranteed to put a smile on many lips.

IN FLAGRANTE plays
29th and 30th June, with more performances planned over the coming months.
7:00pm, 8:00pm food served, show starts at 8:30pm
Toto Restaurant, 53 Nelson Street, Auckland CBD
Tickets: General Seating - $55
Reserve Table Seating with canapés and Toto’s famous Italian Pizza: $69
Bookings through iTicket: www.iTicket.co.nz or (09) 361 1000

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