Formosa, or Taiwan as it is more commonly referred to today, has experienced a complex and difficult journey to a position of self-rule. The arduous historical experience of being passed around as colonial territory between a number of different nations has resulted in a lasting and fierce identity displayed in the dance show Formosa Viva.

Formosa is derived from the Portuguese phrase for ‘beautiful island’. The show covers over 500 years of Taiwanese culture and subservience to colonial powers, particularly the Qing dynasty and Japanese rule and their influence on the indigenous people and the migration of other cultural groups. One of the performances’ obvious themes is the unassailable will to highlight and celebrate the enduring Taiwanese culture and its people.

Although Formosa Viva is a modern dance show, there are clear elements of traditional Taiwanese folk-dance woven into the foundations of the dance style. Distinct body and footwork common in Taiwanese folk-dance were noticeable during the performance although the subtleness of their inclusion in the choreography was impressively done. 

With a company of six dancers, this allowed the ensemble to have many moments of a cascading movement to compliment the formative structure of the staging. The show began with the dancers woven in a circle, moving in conjunction with the crashing waves soundtrack which worked as an overture. Splitting up and reuniting on multiple occasions throughout the performance allowed each dancer to have the opportunity of a centre stage moment. The dancers at not point seemed contained or boxed in by the challenging nature and size of the stage, using its multiple levels and awkward entrances surprisingly well. Although the stage is not large and having six dancers filling the space, it never felt cramped or cluttered which can only lead to further commendation of first-rate choreography.

Most importantly, it also appeared the dancers truly cared about the show themes displaying the indomitable will for their culture to survive.