A political dance that explores freedom of speech in multicultural societies is having its world premiere in Australia.
Can we talk about this? is a form of documentary-style dance theatre, repeating provocative views, and those who oppose them.
The work is based on interviews with high profile writers, campaigners and politicians. Among them Salman Rushdie, Christopher Hitchens and Ayaan Hirsi Ali - a rights advocate for Muslim women, filmed by the late documentary maker Theo van Gogh.
Van Gogh was murdered in an Amsterdam street in 2004. The title 'Can we talk about this?' was said to be Van Gogh's entreaty to his attacker before he was repeatedly shot and stabbed, choreographer Lloyd Newsom said.
Lloyd Newson's piece poses the question: In a multicultural society, when do you stop protecting strong cultural traditions and start defending human rights?
