18 May 2019

Action-packed performance from the streets will have The Q jumping

| Wendy Johnson
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Jump First, Ask Later tells the stories of its performers in a high-octane show. Photos: Adam Elwood.

It’s high energy and a thrilling celebration of the will to succeed.

Jump First, Ask Later—on for one night only at The Q in Queanbeyan—captures the stories of six young people from the vibrant streets of Western Sydney who are champions of underground parkour and street-style community.

Parkour is a training discipline using movement developed from military obstacle course training. Practitioners aim to get from one point to another in a complex environment, without assistive equipment and in the fastest and most efficient way possible.

This multi-award winning, physically inspiring choreographic showcase has been described by organisers as a “high octane show”, and with good reason.

Jump First, Ask Later performers, all aged 18 to 26 and from Dauntless Movement Crew, have been trained in parkour, acrobatics, martial arts, tricking and street dance. They simply don’t know how to stop moving!

Performers, aged 18 to 26, are from the Dauntless Movement Crew.

“The stories were drawn from members of the crew, some of whom are performing and some not, but all the heart-warming stories are from team members,” says Thom Smyth, from Performing Lines, which is touring the show in line with its mission to support artists whose work pushes boundaries and sparks urgent conversations.

The performance is more than physically inspiring, however. Jump First, Ask Later, directed by Byron Perry, reveals the stories of these first and second-generation Australians and the freedom movement has given them from daily social isolation and stigma.

Audiences learn about the performers’ individual journeys, their personal challenges and triumphs, and how they came together around their “street-meets-sport-meets art” life. The show mixes emotions at the highest levels—sadness, laughter, joy, wit, adversity, hardship and inspiration.

While many see parkour as an extreme urban street sport, for these artists it’s a creative mindset, motivating them to never avoid physical or life obstacles but overcome them to find a new way. “Every flip, trick and drop of sweat is a celebration of the will to succeed,” says Thom.

Dauntless Movement Crew members have been trained in parkour, acrobatics, martial arts, tricking and street dance.

Jump First, Ask Later was created by PYT Fairfield, an award-winning company with a reputation for making brave and transformative work, and Force Majeure, which produces critically acclaimed dance theatre. Dauntless Movement Crew now has more than 30 performers and educators who work with people from across Western Sydney.

“It was performed previously in Fairfield, at the Sydney Opera House, in Melbourne and in Adelaide,” says Thom, “with audiences thrilled by the combination of high-energy choreography with scripted text and AV. Be ready for some volume.”

Parkour is a creative mindset for the Jump First, Ask Later performers.

Jump First, Ask Later is on for one night only at The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, on Friday 17 May.
Tickets for sale online.
The show is suitable for ages 10+. It contains some loud music.

***Ticket giveaway!***

WIN four tickets plus complimentary drink package for you and your friends to see this amazing show on Friday 17 May 2019, 8 pm.

To enter, simply tag one of the three friends you want to bring with you to the show on Facebook.

Competition closes on Wednesday 8 May, 17:00 EST. The winner will be contacted on Thursday 9 May.

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