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'Alive in the present, our story is not past
'In the deep darkness just before dawn, workmen find bones while excavating for a dam. Among the workers is Bilin, a Yugambeh man, who convinces his colleagues to let him keep the ancestral remains. This ancestor is Wudjang, who, along with her young companion spirit, Gurai, longs to be reburied in the proper way.
'Composed of poetry, spoken storytelling, live music and the astonishing choreography for which Bangarra Dance Theatre is internationally renowned, Wudjang: Not the Past is an epic-scale new co-production featuring 17 dancers, four musicians, and five actors.
'Directed and co-created by Bangarra’s Artistic Director Stephen Page (Bloodland, The Secret River, Bennelong), and featuring Mibinyah language from his home on Yugambeh Country, this ambitious and powerful piece of performance illuminates the ways in which ancient traditions continue to guide and strengthen current and future generations of First Nations people.'
Source: Sydney Theatre Company.
Production Details
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Presented by Bangarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company for Sydney Festival, 17 January - 12 February 2022.
Director: Stephen Page.
Choreographer: Stephen Page and the Bangarra Dance Theatre Dancers.
Composer: Steve Francis.
Set Designer: Jacob Nash.
Costume Designer: Jennifer Irwin.
Lighting Designer: Nick Schlieper.
Dramaturg: Alana Valentine.
Music Director: Alan John.
Assistant Director: Kate Dunn.
Associate Music Director: Véronique Serret.
Language Consultant: Donna Page.
Cast: Elaine Crombie, Jess Hitchcock, Trevor Jamieson, Elma Kris, and Justin Smith.
Musicians: Brendon Boney, Amaru Derwent, Tessa Nuku, and Véronique Serret.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Bangarra Dance Theatre's Wudjang : Not The Past Returns to Stephen Page's Country for Epic Work of Language Reclamation
2022
single work
review
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , February 2022;
— Review of Wudjang : Not the Past 2022 single work drama'When it comes to telling a story Stephen Page likes to take his time. And his newest work, Wudjang: Not the Past, is a story that's been decades in the making.'
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Bangarra Dances up Old Story
2022
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 12 January no. 767 2022; (p. 34) 'Stories from the past make their mark on the present in an epic-scale contemporary corroboree by Bangarra and Sydney Theatre Company.' -
Bangarra and STC Join Forces
2021
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 20 October no. 762 2021; (p. 10) 'TWO powerhouse arts companies, Bangarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company, will join forces for the first time to present Wudjang: Not the Past, an epic-scale contemporary corroboree, and Bangarra's largest stage production to date.'
-
Bangarra Dance Theatre's Wudjang : Not The Past Returns to Stephen Page's Country for Epic Work of Language Reclamation
2022
single work
review
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , February 2022;
— Review of Wudjang : Not the Past 2022 single work drama'When it comes to telling a story Stephen Page likes to take his time. And his newest work, Wudjang: Not the Past, is a story that's been decades in the making.'
-
Bangarra Dances up Old Story
2022
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 12 January no. 767 2022; (p. 34) 'Stories from the past make their mark on the present in an epic-scale contemporary corroboree by Bangarra and Sydney Theatre Company.' -
Bangarra and STC Join Forces
2021
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 20 October no. 762 2021; (p. 10) 'TWO powerhouse arts companies, Bangarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company, will join forces for the first time to present Wudjang: Not the Past, an epic-scale contemporary corroboree, and Bangarra's largest stage production to date.'
