Byrne the dance floor with the iconic moves of Talking Heads’ lead singer, David Byrne. He was the band’s principal songwriter and guitarist too but was also known for his quirky New Wave dancing.

South Australian creative producers Jodie Kirkbride, Charlie Barwa, and Peter Nielsen have created this roving flash mob where the audience are the performers, dancing en masse around Gluttony with Bynes’ signature moves.

The dance steps are basic, and the participants are invited to just have fun with it; not worry about being perfect. Goodness knows the under-rehearsed dance lead made his fair share of mistakes at the World Premier this weekend just past!

Video tutorials are provided well in advance for those who booked, and a half hour recap is provided in private at the start of the session before going public. There are only four songs to get through, bringing the entire flash mob to an end in about 20 minutes.

Despite being poorly practiced, the team guiding, supporting and helping the participants also knew how to bring joy. There’s lots of encouragement, even more laughter, and onlookers were stopped in their tracks to absorb, join in or applaud the brave dancers weaving between them. This interactive event is simply fun. Pure entertainment on both sides of the equation, bringing us back to the spontaneous quirkiness that a Fringe should be. 

David Byrne himself has apparently endorsed the project. He will no doubt be thrilled to see the enthusiasm and fandom of many of the participants, if not the pleasure it brought to the few present who barely knew his name. 

With a tighter ship and more shows behind them, ByrneDance has the potential to give even more to those who do it or encounter it.