Piloboulus' Shadowland is in Zurich for November and the show is breathtaking. Describing this as "shadow puppetry" doesn't begin to do it justice. The show brings elements of dance and gymnastics and the shadow artistry itself is very creative. Shadows are used to convey an impressive amount of narrative while leaving the details to be filled in by the imagination of the audience. This is creates an incredibly immersive atmosphere.
Thematically, the piece is reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland or, more contemporarily, the darker Coraline. Shadowland is darker still. Unlike the pre-adolescent protagonists Alice and Coraline, our heroine is a teenage girl. Her fantasy world is correspondingly more ominous and more sexual. These elements are compellingly combined.
