Renowned Korean choreographer Eun-Me Ahn has opened this year’s Sydney Festival with Post-Orientalist Express, earning five-star reviews for the production’s scale and creativity. Featuring more than 90 costumes, a techno-driven score, and eight highly skilled performers, the work presents a visually rich and energetic exploration of movement, colour and sound.
The performance offers a satirical reflection on Western portrayals of Asia, using striking stage imagery, video projections and dynamic choreography to build a vivid theatrical world. As the piece progresses, it shifts from stylised tableaux to an exuberant, fast-paced finale, with Ahn herself appearing on stage throughout the work.
Critics and audiences praised the dancers’ athleticism, precision and expressive range, as well as the production’s ability to combine spectacle with clarity and humour. The show concluded with an enthusiastic standing ovation, confirming Post-Orientalist Express as a standout opening to the festival.