Words: Charlie Sampson

5 Stars

These Mechanisms is a collaboration between Christine Thynne, an 82-year-old performer, and Robbie Synge, a dance artist working in intergenerational performance.

Christine opens by explaining she’ll be trying some things and “if worse comes to worst, do not resuscitate.” We are immediately charmed by her wit. This means when things occasionally do go wrong, she totally gets away with it and we’re all laughing with her. I quickly realised I’d never really seen someone in their eighties on
stage before. To be given permission to watch someone of this age, moving their body, in public, felt intimate and like something society hides away.

Christine embarks on a series of physical tasks using ladders and containers of water. Her actions are playful and full of risk. I found myself holding my breath as she swung a ladder around, but I reminded myself to let go, to trust her. And we do. I couldn’t help but cry simply at the beauty of the image as I watched her balance on a
see-saw she’s constructed, counterweighted by her body mass in water. With total control, she holds herself aloft and the audience is transfixed by the thrill of the attempt.

She’s accompanied by Calum, who handles sound and plays live guitar. Christine tells us he’s there to help. Their gentle relationship radiates equality and care. It demonstrates what true independent living can look like. Not abandonment, but care that centres the person receiving it.

Christine’s performance is continually captivating, life-affirming, and entirely embodied.

These Mechanisms
Dancebase
17:15
9–20 Aug