Going into Tethered I expected an adept display of erotic bondage with a sensual and intimate tone. Not only did it deliver, but the level of emotion and vulnerability laid bare was staggering.

Presented with no dialogue or aside to the audience, only Dany Cox as the rope artist, Miiko Rose as the muse, and Will Amesz as improvisational piano accompaniment, you are led through a narrative told through breathy moans, comforting check-ins, and the body as canvas for rope. Despite being an hour long, the pacing of the binding was excellent, shifting from limb to limb, slowly encompassing Miiko’s entire body. From knelt, to standing, to hopping on one foot, to one toe brisking the floor, to suspended, spinning and ascending high above the stage. At every point throughout the performance it felt as though you could hear a pin drop, the entire audience felt as though it was mutually enamoured and fully immersed in what was unfolding.

Seeing the intense care Dany holds for Miiko was core to the experience for me and completed a sense of a dance between artist and muse. From the persistent check-ins and tender touches to the consoling finale, it all felt like much more of a beautiful eroticism than what you may expect could easily be delivered as raunchy.

Despite being a rehearsed show, with skills and techniques you can only imagine taking months to master, much of the performance felt entirely organic with real vulnerable intimacy. It never felt like any party involved was hamming things up for the sex or artistic appeal, it was all raw elegance and emotion.

As exciting as it is to see the escalation and climax of the show in a tumultuous ascent, being fully restrained, almost as much care is given to a slow and soft de-escalation. This gives a sense of wholeness and honesty to the presentation, with a tender appreciation for the endurance of Miiko, not just the physical element but also the public display.

A spectacular sight, Tethered is a must-see for all curious of the body as an art form.