Commanding and enigmatic, I don’t believe in outer space is a brilliant inclusion in a stellar choreographic career – one that has deeply influenced the very trajectory of contemporary dance.

Renowned for his rigorous and inventive choreography, Forsythe returns to Melbourne Festival for the first time since 2001, when he stunned sold-out audiences with Eidos:Telos, a formidable exploration of memory and time. With I don’t believe in outer space he has created a whimsical and poignant investigation of life itself, in all its physicality, fragility and inevitable mortality.

Invoking the artefacts of popular culture, Forsythe pieces together a stunningly complex collage of images and voices, casting a playful yet sober eye on the nature of our existence.

Pulsing to a fractured live soundtrack, this surreal opus sees molecular interactions, social intrusions and sentiments from the disco era bleed together against the backdrop of an uncaring, unfathomable spacescape.

As the 17 dancers of the Forsythe Company move through the comedic, poetic choreography – taut, fluid and precise – they display a discipline and power the equal of any ensemble in the world today, giving a powerhouse performance worthy of this exquisite paean to the potential and beauty of movement.

Download the show program.

William Forsthye presents a free talk as part of Ringside: Artists in Conversation on Monday 15 October at the Festival Hub.?