Sticking to their philosophy of ‘their company being the community’, Tracks Dance has delivered, yet again, a successful entertainment that tells local stories using local people.

Performed on the circular grassed area of The Velodrome (Darwin’s bicycle stadium), directors Tim Newth and David McMicken used this inspired choice for a dance performance space to great effect in their Darwin Festival show. Set in the November build-up season, an inventive human metaphor was ever-present: long distance runners from the community pounded out a marathon on the track, circling the audience and performers for the duration of the 90 minute show. Just like marathons, build-up seasons take stamina and strength to endure. A seething time of relentless humidity, sweat, and increasing tension, not everyone survives the build-up. People pack up and leave, relationships break down and people die, which is what happens in the three scenarios presented.

Making the plucky decision to split …