A “curtain” of glowing green light separates the audience from the stage as we enter the Bay 17 auditorium at Carriageworks. After a burst of jagged sound, the light softens and we see through to the wide open stage, which has a number of illuminated, hanging cocoons from which 13 young bodies gradually emerge. Jerking, twisting and shaking, they shed a flimsy white covering to appear not as butterflies but as small organisms – insects or creatures of some sort in hooded brown jumpsuits.

It’s an intriguing start to The Last Season, a new work from dance theatre company Force Majeure. As it turns out, it’s the highlight in a piece in which the design – set and costumes by Marg Horwell, lighting by Damien Cooper – and the music by Kelly Ryall are the most compelling elements.

Pamela Rabe as Summer and members of the youth ensemble. Photograph @ Brett Boardman

The Last Season was commissioned by Carriageworks and is presented as part of Sydney Festival. Directed and choreographed by Force Majeure Artistic Director Danielle Micich, it was inspired by the music and themes of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons – though we only...