Wow, Vancouverites were treated to an incredible performance on opening night of Manifesto brought to Vancouver by DanceHouse and Vancouver New Music. Stephanie Lake has been touring Canada with her company visiting Montreal and Ottawa before ending the tour in Vancouver. Manifesto has toured the world bringing an intercultural musical experience to dance aficionados.

There are only big words to describe the impact of this production. It is forceful choreography backed by and swept up in very powerful sound. The dancers and the drummers are all highly experienced in their craft. Each individual dancer and drummer brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to Manifesto. In the 60 minute performance energy and sound collide with each other. It is a tour de force of timing as every movement is synchronized with the pulsing beat of the nine drummers sitting in an arc above the stage. Thick, luxurious red curtains are a dramatic backdrop to the set. The red of the curtains acts to outline the black costumes of the drummers and the white clothed dancers.

One has to hold one's breath as Rachel Coulson, Tra M. Dinh, Marni Green, Darci O’Rourke, Harrison Ritchie-Jones, Robert Alejandro Tinning, Georgia Van Gils, Kimball Wong and Jack Ziesing literally throw themselves into the movement of each dance sequence. Their timing with the beat of the drums and themselves is perfect. Every movement, whether mime, balletic or silent screen Hollywood influenced, is synchronized with each other to perfection. It was breathtaking to watch.

The drummers, Robin Fox, T. Xuan Nguyen, Rama Parwata, Rohan Rebeiro, Alex Roper, Jen Tait, Rachel Trainor, Matthew Watson and Julia Watt drive the momentum of the choreography. Their beats play with the dancers. The incessant beat of the nine drums pushes and pulls the rhythm of the dance. The interplay between sound and movement, between drum and dance is hypnotic.

Take yourself into another world and experience Manifesto.

© 2026 Nancie Ottem