Mandurah provocative performance

High-risk acrobatic stunts will take to Mandurah Performing Arts Centre this week when movement artist Rockie Stone provokes audiences to think about the planet at HubBub.

Taking out Fringe World Perth's best circus act last year with her show Fright or Flight, Stone is keen to re-engage with audiences in her new award-winning production with Vincent Van Berkel, titled Perhaps There is Hope Yet.

Stone described the performance style as visual theatre, using the language of circus to convey the theme of climate change and what is happening in the world.

"The work is a response to the pressure we feel in the changing world," she said.

"Vince and I have grappled with where we are sitting and the planet and we are using the skills and language we have to present images and position ideas to provoke the audience to think about what is going on.

"We might cause people to feel on edge with what we are doing on stage, but the next minute there might be a comic element."

Stone said the pair were portraying personas - she a small woman who is vulnerable and Van Berkel a strong man.

"It's less about character and more about roles and taking them at face value and allowing the audience to read whatever they like into that," she said.

Mid-way through last year, Stone took Van Berkel's offer to work together and started devising the at-times dangerous production.

"I don't necessarily write a show, I just start somewhere and build it," she said.

"We make the show on the floor and use the language of circus … there is a great deal of trust between us two acrobats - it means you can go forth and create even more than what would otherwise feel scary or dangerous because the partner is looking out for you."

Perhaps There is Hope Yet is at MPAC from Thursday to Sunday. Get tickets via www.manpac.com.au .