Elements of Freestyle, performed by the Netherlands’ ISH Dance Collective, is an impressive demonstration of urban arts – including skating, parkour, BMX, breakdancing and freestyle basketball – and these expressions are fused with musical compositions that feature a violin and cello.
The production commences as a slow build and increases in pace and physical intensity. It runs for approximately 60 minutes, and the dynamic performers hold your attention from the show’s initial moments until the climax – which ends with an energy jammed collaboration of physical skills and movement. In fact, you can’t afford to look away for a second as you may miss a heart-stopping feat, trick or jump.
One of the most compelling aspects of the production is its ability to merge genres that have traditionally been kept separate. The practice of splitting artistic genres into categories and then excluding specific styles according to a cultural bias has been a common occurrence. These cultural limitations and perceptions of ‘art’ are challenged by Elements of Freestyle, which unifies classical instruments with urban dance and extreme sports.
Musicians, Annie Tangberg (Cello) and Vera van der Bie (Violin) are positioned at front of stage on opposing sides and deliver their compositions with skill and passion. They vary the sound to complement and accentuate the freestyle activities taking place behind them. The style ranges between classical and gritty soulful electro rock.
Of the 10 dancers, nine are male and one is female. Each demonstrates their mastery of particular skills during a series of sequences. These adrenaline-fuelled sequences include balancing on a bar of scaffolding metres above the stage, breakdancing, tumbling from heights on to mats, trampolining, inline skating, BMX breakdancing, freestyle basketball, skateboarding and bounding over hefty objects (including each other).
Together the performers demonstrate an explosion of extreme urban sports, dance and theatre. Much of the action happens simultaneously with many performers on stage at once. This results in a need for precise coordination and cooperation to ensure that they successfully complete all the high-risk stunts without injury.
The set is simple, versatile and moveable. The performers transform and construct new configurations from a collection of skating platforms without leaving the stage: demonstrating the resourcefulness of urban artists and their ability to utilise the materials found in built-up areas and complementing the dynamic nature of the production.
Themes include rivalry, invention, freedom, pushing your body to the limits, and the lulls and isolation that extreme artists feel following their pursuit of excellence and the high flow of adrenaline through their bodies. However, the predominant theme demonstrated is camaraderie, and it is implied that everyone’s life and art form is enhanced by the skills of another.
The performers can be likened to elite athletes who push themselves beyond physical boundaries and limitations and the effect is that you find yourself feeling lightweight and believing you can do the same.
Teenagers are not necessarily known for their descriptive verbosity, but the teenager who attended with this reviewer uttered their approval with an understated ‘cool’ to describe this production.
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While Elements of Freestyle could benefit from a more even gender balance of performers, it has the potential to appeal to younger enthusiasts. Given the number of children and teenagers who attended with their parents and their positive reactions to the show, this production has the potential to be a satisfying shared multigenerational experience due to the diversity of creativity and the wealth of talent on display.
Elements of Freestyle, Sydney Opera House
Company: ISH Dance Collective
Founder/Artistic Director: Marco Gerris
Performers: Annie Tangberg (Cello), Vera van der Bie (Violin), Denden Karadeniz
(Breakdance), Dez Maarsen (BMX Flatland), Dietrich Pott (Breakdance), Jelle
Briggeman (Inline skate), Liziano Ostiana (Freerunning), Michael van Beek (Freestyle
Basketball), Pim Wouters (Skateboard), Siebe van de Spijker (Freerunning), Sven
Boekhorst (Inline skate), Stasy Terehhova (Breakdance)
Tickets: $50-$119
Elements of Freestyle was performed at the Sydney Opera House until 29 June. It will be included in the Brisbane Festival from 24-27 September 2025.
