Soloists for the 2024 season

Dynamotion have gained critical acclaim for their clever, high-energy and ridiculously funny dance works. Named in Metro Magazine’s ‘Best Of’ lists as well as on the Lumiere Reader’s list for ‘best performances’ of 2014, the troupe have gained a loyal following in Auckland. The company presents full-length narrative dance shows inspired by film genres and TV shows. The troupe was formed in 2012 by Thomas Sainsbury, Lara Fischel-Chisholm and Jennie Robertson with their debut performance of Terror Island (a 1970’s B-grade Thriller inspired survival tale) performed at the Maidment Theatre in October that year. Sainsbury and Fischel-Chisholm went on to create two more hugely successful installments in the ‘Terror Trilogy’ - Terror Planet (2013), and Terror Highway (2014) which paid homage to the Exploitation films of the 70’s. In 2014 they created Purple Rainbow as part of the Auckland Pride Festival - a coming-out story set amidst a gay zombie apocalypse. During 2015 they remounted both Terror Planet and Terror Highway for seasons at Tempo Dance Festival, The Body Festival Christchurch and The NZ International Comedy Festival... and a wedding! In 2016, Dynamotion created a work based on the ‘Bond’ franchise of the early 60’s. Mia Blonde in “Ice Dagger” which played to sold-out audiences at the Basement Theatre and made a return season in the Q Theatre Loft in December that year. Their 6th full length show, D.I.S.C.O, enjoyed a sell-out season at the Basement Theatre in July 2017. The company then moved to Q Theatre, presenting Monster Mash, Top Town and Butch Flaccidy and the Fundance Kidz between 2018 - 2022. In Feb 2022 Tom and Lara made 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover which never made it to the stage due to Covid 19 restrictions. In 2023, they were invited to make their first work for children, Carnival of the Animals, in collaboration with the APO.

Over the past decade they have developed a strong ethos around the idea of ‘manifesting joy’ as well as dance as an accessible art form. The troupe is a group of ‘Dactors’ (dancing actors) hand picked by Sainsbury and FC for their comedic skills over formal dance training; the troupe now boasts the very best dance comedians that NZ has to offer. The success of their work relies on believable performances within a ridiculous and often absurd given circumstance, an unwavering and serious commitment to dance and joy.

Dynamotion is Auckland’s favourite comedy dance troupe led by Lara Fischel-Chisholm and Tom Sainsbury. Their ridiculously silly and delightfully clever dance works have become a highlight of the Auckland theatre calendar, with the duo creating 10 full length works since their inception in 2012. They have presented as part of the NZ Intl Comedy Festival, the Body Festival in Christchurch and Tempo. With the troupe boasting some of the best dance comedians the country has to offer, Dynamotion is the dance company that will wiggle it’s way into your heart and stay there. It’s funny, it’s dance, it’s pure joy.

* Photo Credit Amanda Billing