Into the Woods
UMAC acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work. We pay respect to their Elders past and present, and their enduring traditions of knowledge sharing, performing and storytelling on this land.
Actors name
Chars name
UMAC and RISING present
INTO THE WOODS
A visceral duet by choreographer Melanie Lane that reclaims stories of women lost to witch hunts.
Guild Theatre , Arts and Cultural Building
When
Where
Guild Theatre
Arts and Cultural Building
The University of Melbourne
15 Monash Road, Parkville VIC 3010
Get Directions
A powerful duet by choreographer Melanie Lane that treads between fact and fiction, tragedy and horror.
The work is inspired by a story from the Middle Ages about an elderly widow, who, after being tortured, made a long series of shocking confessions including that she had sworn herself to Satan. In collaboration with video artist Tianyi Liao, fragments of this story and other, more recent historical records are extrapolated and re-configured into a terrifying, visceral imagined future. Dots are joined across time and place between women who have been accused of witchcraft, and their diverse experiences of this ‘outing’—from accusation, punishment, resistance and protection, toward empowerment.
Button your cloak and enter the woods.
Into the Woods is part of the inaugural Australian Dance Biennale, curated and hosted by RISING.
Tickets
Tickets
$35 - $39
RISING booking fees may apply
Package Offer: UMAC Dance Double
See Into the Woods and The Forest for $75, available now via rising.melbourne.
Duration
Approximately 55 minutes without an interval. Latecomers will not be admitted.
Performance Information
The performance features a small amount of spoken dialogue in German, French and Bahasa Indonesia. English surtitles are provided.
Accessibility
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Accessible toilet available
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Infared Hearing Assist System
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Companion tickets available
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Wheelchair accessible
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Registered assistance animals welcome
Into the Woods was originally commissioned as a short work for Lucy Guerin Inc’s ‘Pieces’, with support from The Substation, the City of Melbourne, QL2 and Belconnen Arts Centre. Thanks to Chris Clark, Amélie Langevin and Raisa Kröger. In recent years, Melanie’s practice has been supported by Creative Victoria, the Sidney Myer Fund, Creative Australia, Chloe Munro and the Playking Foundation. RISING has supported the development of Into the Woods into a full-length work for the inaugural Australian Dance Biennale.
Cast & Creatives
Melanie Lane
Choreographer, Costume Designer, Performer
Marni Green
Performer
Tianyi Liao
Video Design and Animation
Jen Hector
Lighting Designer
Siobhan Geaney
Production Manager
Freya Waterson
Creative Producer
Tom Willis
Original Lighting Designer
RISING 2026
Into the Woods
A visceral duet by choreographer Melanie Lane that reclaims stories of women lost to witch hunts.
The Forest
Lucy Guerin Inc’s hallucinatory dance work ventures deep into the sentient heart of the forest.
See all upcoming events
A powerful duet by choreographer Melanie Lane that treads between fact and fiction, tragedy and horror.
The work is inspired by a story from the Middle Ages about an elderly widow, who, after being tortured, made a long series of shocking confessions including that she had sworn herself to Satan. In collaboration with video artist Tianyi Liao, fragments of this story and other, more recent historical records are extrapolated and re-configured into a terrifying, visceral imagined future. Dots are joined across time and place between women who have been accused of witchcraft, and their diverse experiences of this ‘outing’—from accusation, punishment, resistance and protection, toward empowerment.
Button your cloak and enter the woods.
Into the Woods is part of the inaugural Australian Dance Biennale, curated and hosted by RISING.
Cast & Creatives
Melanie Lane
Choreographer, Costume Designer, Performer
Marni Green
Performer
Tianyi Liao
Video Design and Animation
Jen Hector
Lighting Designer
Siobhan Geaney
Production Manager
Freya Waterson
Creative Producer
Tom Willis
Original Lighting Designer
RISING 2026
Into the Woods
A visceral duet by choreographer Melanie Lane that reclaims stories of women lost to witch hunts.
The Forest
Lucy Guerin Inc’s hallucinatory dance work ventures deep into the sentient heart of the forest.
See all upcoming events