Choreographer: Philip Connaughton
There are some performances you leave immediately knowing exactly what you thought. Then there are others that follow you out the theatre doors and require a little more time to marinate. The Act of Existing belongs firmly in the latter category.
Presented by Croí Glan and choreographed by Philip Connaughton, this provocative, audience-led dance duet is an unconventional exploration of existence, interaction and the ways in which we respond to one another. Rather than handing its audience an obvious narrative, The Act of Existing leaves plenty of room for interpretation — and, perhaps deliberately, a little head-scratching along the way.
What struck me most was the feeling that I was watching a physical representation of the “monkey see, monkey do” nature of the world around us. Through dance, behaviour becomes something that can be observed, absorbed and replicated. We watch, we react, we imitate. It is a simple human instinct, but when stripped back and placed within the unusual framework of contemporary dance, it becomes something considerably more thought-provoking.
The audience-led element adds another layer to this idea. There is an interesting relationship between performer and spectator, with the audience not simply being passive observers but becoming part of the experience itself. It challenges the traditional boundary between watching and participating, asking us to consider how much of what we do is genuinely our own and how much is influenced by what — and who — surrounds us.
And that is perhaps where The Act of Existing is at its most intriguing. It doesn’t necessarily give you all the answers while you’re sitting in your seat. Instead, its meaning begins to take shape afterwards. I found myself replaying elements of the performance and considering what I had actually witnessed rather than simply deciding whether I had “understood” it.
There is something refreshing about a piece that trusts its audience enough not to spell everything out. At times, its abstract nature can feel challenging, but that challenge is also part of its appeal. This isn’t a performance that spoon-feeds its audience; it invites you to bring your own interpretation to it.
The Act of Existing is certainly unique, and it is perhaps that uniqueness that needs a little time to settle. By the time I had left Project Arts Centre, I wasn’t entirely sure I had formed my complete opinion — but I knew I was still thinking about it. Sometimes that lingering feeling is precisely what a piece of art should achieve.
Runs Until 11 Sept 2026.
