Review: Too Twisted
Picture: A moment from the Too Twisted ‘Thriller’ number (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
That’s Dance and Acrobatics (TD&A) aims to take the ‘art of acro-contortion’ to the next level. In Two Twisted the dance school has organised a showcase of ‘incredible skill and passion [in]…a breathtaking fusion of strength, flexibility, and artistry.’
Their latest show, Too Twisted, provides a platform for new and experienced TD&A students to take to the stage and demonstrate their acrobatic, dance, and contortion skills. The students range in age from the under 8’s through to the acrobatic performance troupe members aged 10-18. The eleven pieces vary in skill level and style, but each is confidently and professionally presented, and it is easy to see that the junior members of the team are on track to achieve the prizewinning standards of the more experienced students.
The opening Asylum piece by the age 8-17 contortion group was beautifully choreographed, showcasing the abilities of each of the performers who demonstrated a high degree of trust in their fellow students. And it is definitely the first time that I have seen any tumbling by artists wearing ‘straitjackets!‘ The ‘under 8’s jazz group, in their fantastic yellow and blue outfits, produced a sassy interpretation of California Girls, and it was difficult to believe that this was the first time that this group had taken to the TD&A stage.
Several of the pieces were solo acts. Layla Coleman is an established star performer, with over 9 year’s study of acrobatics and contortion. I have previously seen Layla’s incredible contortion act that includes standing across two plinths, wearing a blindfold, and bending low (and backwards) to pick up first a flower and then a piece of jewellery in her teeth. It was amazing to see an apparently effortless repetition of this ‘trick’ during both the solo Dream On, and finale Mission Impossible numbers.
Layla’s Dream On solo was followed by a confident artistic contortion number by 11-year old Emilee Jones. Emilee’s piece was an impressive demonstration of strength, flexibility, and artistry—and a great interpretation of the Crazy Benny music. Emilee’s performance included a breathtaking ‘step through’ a hoop that was later repeated in Emilee’s Michael Jackson Mix acro/contortion number that we were told she had previously ‘performed at Nationals.’ Emilee was not the only member of the junior students to present solo or duet numbers in the Too Twisted program. The show also included a skilled contortion piece by Macey Farrell (My Heart Will Go On), and Macey later returned to the stage for an impressive All Coming Back to Me contortion duet with the 8-year old Lacie.
Picture: Macey and Lacie’s duet (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: California Girls (Image credit: Creative Futures Photograph).
Picture: Kyra Alexander’s memorable Lullaby (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Too Twisted (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
It is perhaps unfair to come away with a favourite piece from a dance and acrobatic school show, but three numbers are particularly memorable. Kyra Alexander’s Lullaby number is a mesmerising piece of acro-dance theatre that would be perfect for any professional Halloween show. The acrobatics group Thriller number (presented by a group of students age 8-18) is an impressive high-energy number that demonstrates their skillful tumbling and jumps, and is a great piece of choreography. And Elliott Heathwood’s The Winner Takes It All is an evocative piece showcasing acro dance moves; it is difficult to believe this this is Elliott’s first solo number.
It is always good to end on a high note, and the show closes with the final performance of the acrobatic/contortion performance troupe’s Mission Impossible. Congratulations to the students, teachers, and families on an impressive demonstration of the skills of the talented That’s Dance and Acrobatics’ students. TD&A performers wowed audiences at the 2024 Limelight showcase. If you don’t get to see Too Twisted, do consider buying tickets to see the 2025 Limelight celebration of local singing, dancing, acting and visual art talent (presented by Introspect Theatre, 25 May 2025).
Picture: A moment from the Too Twisted ‘Mission Impossible’ number (image credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Audience information: Too Twisted is at three Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival locations (all 2:30am performances): Deception Bay Community Hall, 2 Raymond Terrace, Deception Bay (10 May), The Hills District Community Centre 291 Dawson Parade, Arana Hills (17 May), and North Lakes Community Centre 10 The Corso, North Lakes (18 May). Rated G. 45 minutes, no interval. Tickets $10-$15 plus $4.40 booking fee.
The reviewer attended the 10 May 2025 2:30pm show.