If the three basic elements of choreography are time, space and energy, Stephanie Lake has certainly mastered the third. The Melbourne choreographer – fast becoming known for her large-scale ensemble works and captivating imagery – takes it up a notch in her latest high-octane offering, Manifesto.

From the very first beat, the work explodes in seismic waves of motion and rhythm, pulling the audience closer and closer into its sweaty grip. Deftly crafted and technically dense, this work is bound to thrill.

Manifesto, Stephanie Lake Company at the 2022 Adelaide Festival. Photo © Roy Vandervegt

The pitch is simple. Nine drummers meet nine dancers in a bid to create something greater than their parts. On one read, the bodies are sites for rhythmic exploration. Explosive jumps and sinewy contortions give vision to Robin Fox’s intricately layered score and his A-team of whip-fast percussionists. Each articulation of a limb or joint amplifies its sonic counterpart, and every cymbal roll or rollicking drumbeat is a cry for a physical response.

But more than this, Manifesto is a daring tug-of-war between forces, where the balance of power refuses to sit still. In a charming...