LIFE/CYCLE Q&A with Finley Gorringe

Finley Gorringe Instagram – @finley.gorringe

Finley Gorringe is a 25 year old parkour artist originally from Tasmania who has returned home after seven years in the UK. He is a qualified gymnastics and parkour coach who has worked and performed extensively around the UK at festivals, shopping centres and private events. He is now training to become a stuntman, a pursuit that perfectly matches his love for high-impact, adrenaline-fueled performance.

What was your initial reaction when approached to integrate parkour into this theatrical production?
I was excited! As a parkour artist, the opportunities for such a role are pretty hard to come by so the chance to integrate parkour into a storyline was something I couldn’t turn down.

How do you adapt your movement style to interact with the unique set design and bicycle installation?
Parkour is a sport that is focussed around adaptability and utilises unique spaces creatively, as such, being adaptable is what it is all about. I am used to assessing a space and finding the opportunities within it. Within this unique set design, I am able to both explode with energy and then use a much more contained flow state where I am able to interact with the
everyday objects.

What has been the most challenging aspect of blending parkour with theatrical performance?
The most challenging aspect for me is the cross over from self expression to performance. When I’m training, I’m all about pushing my limits and enjoying that spontaneous, freeform movement. But on stage, every move needs to work for the audience—it’s not just about me; it’s about telling a story. I have to consider where the audience is and how they perceive each action, balancing raw energy with a clear narrative. It’s a fun juggling act between staying true to the spirit of parkour and delivering a performance that truly connects.

How does your character’s movement journey reflect the larger themes of the production?
My character represents the raw, contained energy of youth in its most unfiltered form: dynamic, unpredictable and full of potential. Through explosive movement and a restless drive, my character provides contrast and mirrors the production’s themes – capturing that tension between holding back and breaking free, and by embodying the struggles and
potential of growing up.

Could you describe a specific moment in the performance where movement tells the story in ways words couldn’t’?
My entrance in the scene is abrupt, aggressive and energetic. Through parkour I am able to embody rebellious freedom in a physical declaration of independence. Instead of relying on dialogue, the dynamic motion speaks for itself, telling a story of defiance and liberation. A moment,charged with spontaneity and power, is able to capture a feeling that words
could never fully convey.

LIFE/CYCLE opens Friday 28 2025 as part of Ten Days on the Island.