Shambles explores themes of moving: using impetus and stimulus from scenarios such as: moving house (categorized as one of the most emotional experiences a person can face), traveling overseas, career transition, relationship breakdown and most provoking, moving on with life. It looks into the many varied situations, reactions and emotions one feels in dealing with these experiences

Imagine, a set, full of cardboard boxes and suitcases, boxes labeled ready to move, piles of yet to be packed gear (the leftovers that can not be thrown away or no longer have a place in your life) and the gut wrenching job of having to cull your loved belongings– we all have emotional baggage, especially after a relationship collapse.

Everyone has faced this or a similar predicament, having to decide what to take and what to leave behind - both literally and emotionally.

Each section of the work details these experiences, using dance to emote the inner confusion and subsequent emotions these experiences leave. The performers portray through movement, dialogue and abstraction the turbulence of these emotions and these resonate throughout the performance

"Amid a set littered with cardboard boxes that are cleverly integrated choreographically, Dean Cross lays bare the emotional upheaval involved in moving house – and moving on in life – after a relationship breakdown.

Unlike many dance – theatre works, Shambles does not suffer from a dearth of dance.  This demanding choreography, impressively executed by all dancers – with striking control demonstrated in partner work. 

McCarthy has a knack for capturing characteristic gestures that she strings together, like stills in a film, to create fascinating sequences.  This technique is extended here, so that recurring gestures are integrated throughout, adding structural elements to the contemporary vocabulary. 

The dance reaches a climax in a powerful ensemble piece that explodes Cross’s anger, leaving dancers and audience breathless."