Five Reasons Why Paper Doll Militia Will Rock You

1. They are called Paper Doll Militia
What's not to love in this name? They have been called the love-child of Tim Burton and Trent Reznor (by a critic with a greater gift than mine), and the name evokes whimsical fun and hardcore art action in three words. 

2. They did it last year
Their short piece at manipulate 2014 last year was an elegant spectacle of white silk and spiralling skills - an abstract, evocative and forceful display of strength. Both technically and emotionally powerful, it presented a duo who could use physical theatre as a medium for direct, stunning, self impression.

3. They've gone metal
This year's entry, Unchained, swaps the silks for chains, raising the game and bringing an uncompromising symbolism into the very apparatus that they use. With themes of oppression and betrayal, Unchained is a heavier outing (with a few industrial touches in the soundtrack).

4. It's not all circus
The Militia are as much about the choreography as the swinging about the rooftops: apart from taking on a serious subject - and refusing some dull rhetorical lecture on betrayal - they use the dark poetry of physical theatre to go beyond the tricks and go to work on the subject.

5. This one's ecriture feminine
That is: this is no narrative based story with an easy interpretation. It swings and soars, both literally and metaphorically, working with a non-linear approach and delving into symbolism, meaning and action through a variety of attacks. No simple answers, only the invitation for an audience to get thinking...