Season Overview
‘of earth & sky’
A new double bill from Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2010
Australia’s premier Indigenous performing arts company
‘Artefact’ from Frances Rings and ‘Riley’ from Daniel Riley McKinley
commissioned by Artistic Director, Stephen Page
Following the sell out success of their 20th anniversary ‘Fire’ tour in 2009, Bangarra Dance Theatre leaps into the next 20 years with a stunning new double bill.
Always original and evocative, Bangarra presents two works inspired by old and new stories and examines the fusion of dance and visual art.
‘of earth & sky’ will feature the work of Bangarra’s celebrated choreographer Frances Rings, who first made the move from dancer to creator with the company’s ‘Walkabout’ season in 2002.
Frances has been, and continues to be, at the core of Bangarra’s creative energy. She and Stephen Page, have shared a number of choreographic double bills. Audiences will know Frances from her previous outstanding Bangarra productions including ‘Rations’, ‘Unaipon’ and ‘X300’.
Frances, who was mentored by Stephen, brings a female perspective and energy that has added a new dimension to Bangarra’s collection of works. Her work is often built around a key theme of retaining cultural knowledge.
Her new production for 2010, ‘Artefact’, is inspired by dynamics between ‘man and object’ that have meaning to culture, spirit and place. This work honours symbols of ancient and modern rituals and reclaims the spirit of these artefacts.
Frances said, “I'm creating a dance inspired by indigenous artefacts and the relationship people have to those objects. Objects special to indigenous people are simple, but hold great spiritual meaning and connection. The challenge is to bring these static objects to life. To make them move. They're like a little dose of spirituality sitting on your shelf”.
Bangarra is also pleased to introduce the eagerly anticipated choreographic debut of dancer, Daniel Riley McKinley. At aged 24, Daniel is the youngest choreographer to contribute to Bangarra’s dance theatre repertoire.
‘Riley’ is a celebration of the life of Aboriginal photographer and film maker, the late Michael Riley and his internationally acclaimed ‘cloud’ series. ‘cloud’ was Michael’s last photographic work prior to his passing. His work is permanently installed as part of the Australian Indigenous Art Commission at the Musée du quai Branly in Paris and was hung as part of Sydney Festival in the summer of 2002 as an outdoor exhibition at Circular Quay.
Daniel, who shares a connection to Michael Riley through blood and land, pays homage to Michael by using his images as the visual landscape to inform the movement.
Stephen Page said “It is a great thrill to mentor young choreographer, Daniel Riley McKinley, who is set to deliver a fresh ‘new generation’ of Indigenous story telling.
At the heart of all of Bangarra’s productions is the musical creativity of award-winning David Page, who is one of the most successful Aboriginal contemporary composers in Australia. David’s music is the inimitable soundscape of Bangarra that lures audiences year after year.
In keeping with the development of emerging Indigenous artists, Stephen Page has commissioned Jacob Nash, aged 27, as the set designer for ‘of earth & sky’.
Company Overview
About Bangarra Dance Theatre
Bangarra Dance Theatre was established in 1989 as a dance company that embraces, celebrates and respects Australia’s Indigenous peoples and their culture. Under the artistic direction of Stephen Page since 1991, Bangarra has emerged as Australia’s only national premier Indigenous performing arts company.
As Artistic Director, Stephen Page has developed an extraordinary signature body of work that has secured the company’s reputation as a national and international dance phenomenon. Stephen is also committed to developing the next generation of Indigenous storytellers by mentoring emerging artists. In 2008, Stephen was named NSW Australian of the Year.
Each year, Bangarra performs to approximately 50,000 people around Australia and the world and its productions are regularly sold out.
The Sydney-based multi award-winning company, with 14 dancers, is chaired by Aden Ridgeway and led by Executive Director Catherine Baldwin. Actor Hugh Jackman is Patron.
At the heart of all of Bangarra’s productions is the musical creativity of award-winning David Page, who is one of the most successful Aboriginal contemporary composers in Australia. David’s music is the inimitable soundscape of Bangarra that lures audiences year after year.
Bangarra bases its creative spirit on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and stories producing a powerful new language that combines the traditional and the contemporary. This potent, original and distinctive style tells the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples unifying the past and the present.
Bangarra’s influence continues to resonate throughout the world with the company earning a prominent place on the international touring circuit. A 16-city sell out tour of the USA in 2001 established the company as a global dance phenomenon. Since then, the company has performed in Monaco, returned to the US twice – performing in New York City and in Washington, and performed in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and New Zealand. In 2006, the company toured the UK, performing at London’s prestigious Sadler’s Wells Theatre. In 2008 & 2009, the company mounted successful tours to London, Paris, Canada, Hungary, Austria and Germany.
Bangarra travels the world, performs at private functions, for major arts festivals and special events such as the opening and closing of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and in regional Australia as well as capital cities annually. Underpinning all of its performances is the strong connection with the communities and people which remain its core inspiration.
In 2009, Bangarra Dance Theatre celebrated 20 years of bringing Australia and the world its original, evocative and inspirational dance theatre and eagerly anticipates the potential of the next 20 years.
www.bangarra.com.au
The Wharf
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