Putting the audience on stage

In The Nature of Wishing the audience takes a trip through a magician's dreams and memories.

Be careful what you wish for ... it may just come true. Most of us have grown up with this well-worn phrase, but have you ever stopped to think about its meaning?

Alyx Duncan has. The director, writer and choreographer of The Nature of Wishing, which debuts on Friday at Auckland's St James, is fascinated by the idea of want and fulfilment.

She says the feature-length, live dance performance is about friendship and wishing: "Wishes that are fulfilled and then realising it's not actually what you wanted in the first place."

Centred on the life of a retiring magician, The Nature of Wishing is a whimsical tale told through contemporary dance and Butoh-inspired movement - a 20th century Japanese dance form.

Set backstage before the magician's final performance, the show takes the audience back through her dreams and memories, exploring human desire and interaction.

Though Duncan's story is an original, perhaps the most unique element of the show is the seating arrangements - the audience will sit on stage at the St James, facing the auditorium.

"I think it's going to be a really special experience for people to be backstage at the St James. It's a very unusual way of presenting a theatre space, and it's an intimate space so they're going to be up close to the action," says Duncan.

Combining dance theatre with live music, The Nature of Wishing is the first full-length work for Duncan, who has spent recent years exploring dance through film.

Her short film Pandora is on show at the Reel Dance film festival in Australia and New Zealand.

Duncan is also one of the creative minds behind two of New Zealand band Minuit's videos, including Fuji, for which she was nominated for a Kodak Music Video Award in Wellington earlier this year.

The transition from film to live theatre has presented challenges but she's pleased she made it.

"It's been wonderful to really develop an idea with a group of people over a longer time frame."

Though Duncan uses the words "whimsical" and "fantastical" to describe the show, she says it's not really one for the kids.

"There's some sex," she whispers. "I think that for children, there would be some beautiful, fantastical images that they would really enjoy, but the story is something they won't get."

Duncan says the show does have its sombre moments.

However, she has deliberately tried to present a piece that will appeal to everyone.

Ultimately, she says, the show is about magic and the magic of theatre.


Lowdown

* What: The Nature of Wishing
* Where and when:St James, Auckland, Aug 25-27, tickets $25 from Ticketdirect