Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

REVIEW - Figures in Extinction is a bold and unflinching look at our planet, told with breathtaking creativity and precision

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On Wednesday, we were invited to Aviva Studios to see Figures in Extinction. See what our reviewer, Lizzie Johnston thought about this outstanding piece of work...

Being invited along to a World Premiere is always so fun and intriguing, particularly as I've never been to Aviva Studios either - so it was a night seeing a brand new show and getting to experience a new (for me) theatre space.

Presented at Manchester’s Aviva Studios by Factory International, Figures of Extinction is a brand new trilogy and a one-of-a-kind collaboration between visionary choreographer Crystal Pite and Simon McBurney, co-founder of the theatre company Complicité. Split into three half-hour pieces, it’s an evening of raw, thought-provoking artistry that examines humanity’s fragile relationship with the natural world – and what we’ve already lost.

Each piece in the trilogy offers a unique perspective but flows seamlessly into the next, they could even still work as standalone performances. The opening piece, Figures in Extinction [1.0], is like a fast paced runthrough of the once living things that have become extinct - everything from animals and plants to glaciers. The performers transformed into these figures, using their bodies in incredible ways to mimic the once living figures. It turned the stage into a living memorial of extinction.

The focus shifts to humanity in the second act, Figures in Extinction [2.0], questioning our role in a fractured world. The choreography here is bold and emotionally charged, complemented by a mix of music and spoken word that adds layers of texture to the performance. The setting changed from the natural world to an almost school/corporate environment, educating the audience on the role of humanity when it comes to extinction.

The final chapter, Figures in Extinction [3.0], feels like a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. Blending dance, video, and spoken word, it doesn’t offer easy answers but instead sparks a sense of possibility about where we might go next. The performers push their physicality to the limit, creating striking shapes and images.

Throughout the performance, it’s the production and use of lighting that struck me the most, working together with the performers to enhance the shapes and movements. The lights were mostly dimmed with backlighting, which created an intense focus on the performers without the need for any set.

The movement is impressively slick and varied, a blend of physical theatre and dance that is mesmerising. The performers move as one, almost like contortionists at times, embodying everything from the delicacy of plants to the grandeur of glaciers. There are no individual standouts as the entire company operates as one, which only strengthens the message of interconnection.

The use of spoken word throughout was interesting and turned this from a dance piece into all round theatre art. The inclusion of a youthful voiceover lends an innocent, almost childlike tone to the devastating questions of why and how so much has been lost. It’s a clever device that tugs at the heartstrings while forcing the audience to reflect on their own complicity.

Pite and McBurney’s collaboration is nothing short of a masterpiece – a proper piece of theatre art. The combination of physicality, storytelling, and multimedia elements is utterly absorbing, drawing the audience into a conversation about the state of the world. The movements are so precise and synchronised that they feel almost mechanical at times, underscoring the urgency of the message.

I could sense how impressed the audience was after each act, with silence throughout and only the murmur of ‘wow’ once the applause was over. Aviva Studios, hosting its first full audience for this performance, proved to be the ideal setting. The huge, open stage created an immersive experience, with every corner of the theatre buzzing with anticipation. The space felt larger than expected, giving the performers room to transform into the figures.

Ultimately, Figures in Extinction is a bold and unflinching look at our planet, told with breathtaking creativity and precision. The trilogy’s blend of physical theatre, dance, and multimedia creates something truly unique, a performance that speaks to the heart as much as the mind. For anyone seeking theatre that challenges, moves, and inspires, this is an unmissable evening.

WE SCORE FIGURES IN EXTINCTION...