Subliminal symbolism, hypnotic hypersexualisation, debasement, corruption and illusory control; the Illuminati party is here and we’re all on the guestlist. Choreographer and former Oxford University Artist in Residence Rosie Kay’s latest work aims to subvert the subversive by capturing the world of pop culture meets cynicism, the death of innocence and mind control conspiracies at their most violently visceral. Referencing the CIA code for an LSD-based brainwashing technique developed by the US military, MK ULTRA explores common conspiracy theories which suggest pop stars are merely puppets of the authoritarian shadowy elite. A supercharged mash-up of wildly coordinated dance, trance-like music and attention grabbing imagery, the show features stark symbols of its main theme, Gaga-esque human puppets, foil-clad and twerking to a backdrop of hypnotic beats and vulgarly symbolic visuals. This new work premieres here before a major UK tour. Expect to have your concepts of what passes as modern culture pulled into sharp focus. These are no ordinary times and this is no ordinary performance.

Fri 17 – Sat 18 Mar at 7.45pm, Birmingham REP Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP, 0121 236 4455. From £15 www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yuo92MQgkk