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Dark Emu single work   drama   Indigenous story  
Adaptation of Dark Emu : Black Seeds : Agriculture or Accident? Bruce Pascoe , 2014 single work criticism
Is part of Eora Stories 2014 series - author musical theatre (number 5 in series)
Issue Details: First known date: 2018... 2018 Dark Emu
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Compelling contemporary dance, soul-stirring soundscapes and uniquely Australian stories – Bangarra is a company at the peak of its powers. In superb form after the sold-out season of Bennelong, we return in 2018 with a major new dance work, Dark Emu

'Inspired by Bruce Pascoe’s award-winning book of the same name, Dark Emu explores the vital life force of flora and fauna in a series of dance stories directed by Stephen Page. With long-time Bangarra collaborators Steve Francis (music), Jacob Nash (sets) and Jennifer Irwin (costumes) bringing their impeccable aesthetic to the production, Dark Emu will satisfy your spirit and connect you to Country.' (Production summary)

Teaching Resources

Teaching Resources

This work has teaching resources.

Teachers' notes via Bangarra Dance Theatre's website.

Notes

  • Additional Awards:

    2019 Helpmann Awards:

    Waangenga Blanco (winner, best male dancer).

    Jennifer Irwin (nominated, best costume design).

    Steve Francis (nominated, best sound design).

Production Details

  • Presented by Bangarra Dance Theatre. Performed at:

    The Sydney Opera House 14 June -14 July 2018

    Canberra Theatre Centre 26 - 28 July

    State Theatre Centre of WA 2 - 5 August

    QPAC 24 August - 1 September

    Arts Centre Melbourne 6 - 15 September

    Artistic Director: Stephen Page.

    Choreographers: Stephen Page, Yolande Brown, Daniel Riley, and the dancers of Bangarra Dance Theatre.

    Composer: Steve Francis.

    Set Designer: Jacob Nash.

    Costume Designer: Jennifer Irwin.

    Dramaturg: Alana Valentine.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Pascoe's Big Challenge : Let's Change the Country Rudi Maxwell , 2019 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 14 August no. 707 2019; (p. 8)

'First Bruce Pascoe spent years researching. The came Dark Emu, the book, published by Magabala, meticulously detailing from multiple sources the myriad ways Aboriginal people lived before Invasion and busting the simplistic hunter-gatherer and peaceful colonisation myths.'

'Dark Emu' and 'Bennelong' by Bangarra Dance Theatre Claire G. Coleman , 2018 single work column
— Appears in: The Monthly , October no. 149 2018; (p. 61)
Dark Emu (Bangarra Dance Theatre) Maryrose Casey , 2018 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 405 2018; (p. 66)

'Bangarra Dance Theatre has been Australia’s premier Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company for nearly thirty years. Although the company includes dancers from every language grouping, it collaborates with specific traditional owners, depending on the particular works they are creating. This attention to specificity is an important part of Bangarra’s recognition of the different groupings across the Australian mainland and islands, and the islands of the Torres Strait. Led by Artistic Director Stephen Page, Bangarra draws on techniques that include traditional Indigenous dance as well as contemporary world techniques. The company’s works include Praying Mantis DreamingOchresSkin, CorroboreeUnaiponCLANMathinna, and Bennelong.' (Introduction)

Bangarra’s Stephen Page on the Language of Dance Steve Dow , 2018 single work column
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 1-7 September 2018;

'His mother called it “whispering language”. She would whisper the words of their freshwater people to her children at night, because it was part of a forbidden culture. When the welfare people came, she hid these children beneath a stockman’s house. Storytelling would be the family gift passed on to these kids, and Roy Page, the youngest of eight, told tales that inspired three of his own sons to become famous performers and storytellers.' (Introduction)

Bangarra’s Dark Emu Is Beautiful, but Lacks the Punch of Its Source Material Justine Shih Pearson , 2018 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 21 June 2018;

'Lights come up on an orb receding back in space, an echo perhaps taking us back in time, or into the cosmos, into the dreaming to the Emu in the Sky. Dancers, in groupings of three or five, move stage right to left, undulating up from the ground and wavering like kangaroo grass.' (Introduction)

Dark Emu the Book Inspires Dark Emu the Dance Show 2017 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 29 November no. 665 2017; (p. 5)

'Bangarra Theatre's Stephen Page was so inspired by Bruce Pascoe's non-fiction book Dark Emu hat he has created a dance show.'

Dark Emu Comes to the Community 2018 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 30 May no. 677 2018; (p. 7)

'Inspired by Bruce Pascoe's award-winning book of the same name, Bangarra Dance Theatre's Dark Emu explores the vital life force of flora and fauna and challenges the 'hunter-gatherer' myth of pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians.' 

Dark Emu the Dance Show : A Chance to 'Look at Australia with Fresh Eyes' Clarissa Sebag-Montefiore , 2018 single work column
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 13 June 2018;

'Bruce Pascoe and Stephen Page tell how a joking remark led to Bangarra’s latest production.' 

Bangarra’s Dark Emu Is Beautiful, but Lacks the Punch of Its Source Material Justine Shih Pearson , 2018 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 21 June 2018;

'Lights come up on an orb receding back in space, an echo perhaps taking us back in time, or into the cosmos, into the dreaming to the Emu in the Sky. Dancers, in groupings of three or five, move stage right to left, undulating up from the ground and wavering like kangaroo grass.' (Introduction)

Bangarra’s Stephen Page on the Language of Dance Steve Dow , 2018 single work column
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 1-7 September 2018;

'His mother called it “whispering language”. She would whisper the words of their freshwater people to her children at night, because it was part of a forbidden culture. When the welfare people came, she hid these children beneath a stockman’s house. Storytelling would be the family gift passed on to these kids, and Roy Page, the youngest of eight, told tales that inspired three of his own sons to become famous performers and storytellers.' (Introduction)

Last amended 9 Jul 2024 12:35:18
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