AustLit

'Under the star-illuminated skies of the Torres Strait, a green turtle navigates her way back to the beach where she was born. The season has started, the turtles are returning to nest, and soon the island will welcome a new generation of hatchlings – amongst them, our small turtle friend, Migi!

'In Bangarra’s first dedicated work for children, join our heroine Migi as she undertakes a journey of discovery and survival. A contemporary saltwater Lagaw Kazil (Island Children) story inspired by the totemic system of the green turtle, Waru– journey of the small turtle is an interactive and immersive introduction to Torres Strait Islander culture and dance for 3 to 7 year-olds, premiering at Bangarra’s newly renovated home in Walsh Bay.

'Created by Stephen Page, together with Hunter Page-Lochard and Bangarra alumni Dancers and Choreographers Sani Townson and Elma Kris, >Waru provides teachers, parents and care-givers with a unique opportunity to open up conversations about climate change, caring for the environment and the traditional cultural values of respect and reciprocity. Inspired in part by Turtle (Corroboree, 2001), choreographed by Stephen Page, Peggy Misi and Elma Kris.'

Source: Bangarra Dance Theatre.

'In celebration of The Australian Ballet’s 50th anniversary, Stephen Page led a collaboration between Bangarra and The Australian Ballet with the creation of a new work Warumuk – in the dark night as part of the Ballet’s Infinity program.

'While past works Alchemy (1996) and Rites (1997) fused ballet with Indigenous themes, this was the first time dancers from both companies joined together in a seamless creative process inspired by Aboriginal culture. From the evening star to the morning star, the myths that resonate within the night sky were expressed from a contemporary perspective.

'The score, composed by David Page,  provides a rich mix of soundscape and orchestral instruments celebrating the resilience of Aboriginal songs and languages.' (Production summary)

'Showcasing the best of Bangarra’s internationally acclaimed repertoire, the majority of Spirit features highlights from the company’s sell-out production Bush, as well as treasured moments from Bangarra’s repertoire.'

'Set to a beautiful and haunting score composed by David Page and Steve Francis, Spirit is a lush and contemporary celebration of beauty, ritual and music. From the last breath of sunset to the first finger-light of dawn, the audience enters a mysterious and secret space to witness nature’s sacred poetry.'

'Featuring Kathy Balngayngu Marika, a traditional elder from North East Arnhem, Spirit weaves storytelling, dance, theatre and music into an unforgettable theatrical experience.'

'About' and 'ID' - are presented as 'Belong'. 'About' explores the representation and sensations of the various winds that blow through the lives of her people in the Torres Strait Islands. 'ID' questions the nature of Aboriginality.' (Source: AusStage website)

'Commissioned by Bangarra’s Artistic Director, Stephen Page, of earth & sky features the work of celebrated choreographer Frances Rings and Daniel Riley in his choreographic debut.'

'Artefact by Frances Rings, breathes life back into Aboriginal objects that represent the continuum of practices that date back thousands of years. Each artefact is respected for the story it tells in reconnecting people with their traditional culture and heritage. Expressed through striking design and theatrical elements Artefact is a powerful dance theatre work.'

'Riley by Daniel Riley McKinley celebrates the life and work of the late Michael Riley, an acclaimed Aboriginal photographer and filmmaker, related to Daniel through Wiradjuri culture. Riley’s cloud series of photographs with their dream-like beauty and digital manipulation are reflected in the movement and evocative soundscape for this exciting new work about the cultural resilience of Indigenous Australians.' (Source: Bangarra Dance Theatre website)

'In 2009 Bangarra Dance Theatre celebrates 20 years of bringing Australia and the world its unique, exciting and inspirational dance theatre.'

'Fire – A Retrospective features the most memorable and potent elements of the company’s repertoire during this extraordinary and dynamic artistic period.'

'Featuring Bangarra’s exciting design installations, multi-media imagery and choreographic highlights from Ochres, Fish, Skin, Bush, Corroboree and many other much-loved works, Fire – A Retrospective takes audiences on the company’s journey across 40,000 years.' (Source: Bangarra Dance Theatre website)

'Inspired by a young girl's journey between two cultures, Mathinna traces the fragmented history of a young Tasmanian Aboriginal girl removed from her traditional life and adopted into Western Colonial society, only to be ultimately returned to the fragments of her original heritage' (Source : www.bangarra.com.au (Sighted 07/10/2009)).

Clan is Bangarra Dance Theatre’s stunning and unique fusion of contemporary and traditional dance.

'In 2004 Clan premiered with two spectacular works – Unaipon and Reflections that spring from common themes of spirit, land and totemic symbolism.

Unaipon created by Frances Rings is inspired by the life and vibrant intellect of Aboriginal inventor, writer, philosopher and story-teller David Unaipon who is featured on the Australian $50 note. He was a Ngarrindjeri man of the Warrawaldi clan born in 1872 at Port McLeay Mission in South Australia. This was a man who was not even considered a citizen and yet people dubbed him the ‘Leonardo Da Vinci of Australia’.

'Reflections brings together the best of the award-winning choreography of Artistic Director, Stephen Page with excerpts from milestone works. ’Nesting’ from Skin, ‘Cocoon’ from Fish, and “White (Gapan)’ from Ochres are woven together into one sensual and emotive theatrical experience.'

'In 2006 Clan returned as Frances’ Rings double bill Unaipon and Rations. Rations explores mission life in colonial Australia and a remarkable history of struggle and survival. (Production summary)

'A rich visual feast and a return to the purity of dance and tradition, Stephen Page’s triple bill Corroboree embraces the Dreamtime, a time when animal spirits occupied the land without the influence of humans.

'Corroboree takes a journey through the songlines of three dreamings that are central to the lives of indigenous people: Brolga, Roo and Turtle.'

'Brolga- a ritualistic cleansing of the spirit, wet season in the meeting grounds of Arnhem Land.'

'Roo – stalking of prey in the headlights, the very essence of time and fear.'

'Turtle – sand, sea and the waters of the Torres Strait, the everyday turbulence of birth and death.'

'Quietly political and evocative, Corroboree strives to bring attention to the origins of life.'

Australia's leading indigenous performing arts company performs Skin, a new work in two parts. The first part, Shelter - inspired by the ravishing works of the late Emily Kngwarreye - is a journey into the world of the women of Utopia in the Australian Central Desert. Award winning popular songwriter and urban narrator, Archie Roach, collaborates with Bangarra for the first time for Spear which forges a new road for Aboriginal men as they build an identity in the urban world. (Source: AusStage website)

'Before time began when the land was formed and the spirits roamed free was the Dreaming. Where wet meets dry, the future folds back to the past and the Imagined is often Reality.'

'Steeped in the cultural heritage of the Aboriginal people of Australia, the Dreaming combines the ancient myth and ritual of the Munyarryun Clan of Northern Australia with music and movement from the contemporary urban world to present a work of sharp beauty and contrasts. Weaving together the elemental experience of both the land and the waters, the Dreaming sets forth on a sublime emotional journey. Drawing on the grandeur and desolation of Australia’s sweeping landscapes and waters, the Dreaming evokes the dangerous beauty and spiritual resonance of a country and a people.'

'Humanity merges with nature’s pantheon in a lyrical story of resilience, strength and belonging.' (Source: Bangarra Dance Theatre website)

'Praying Mantis Dreaming tells the story of a young Aboriginal girl on her journey from her traditional homelands to the city. The Spirit of the Praying Mantis Dreaming watches over both worlds, guiding and protecting the Aboriginals inhabitants, and encouraging the girl to seek her cultural heritage.'

'The inspiration and knowledge for this work comes predominantly from the Yirrkala people of North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Praying Mantis Dreaming is based on the dreaming of a woman born to an Aboriginal mother and European father. She inherits the Praying Mantis totem from her mother, the Spirit of the Praying Mantis watches over her and guides her through her journey. She experiences lust, anger and death in the city and then learns of her traditional roots through the Praying Mantis Spirit.'

'The first full length work created by Stephen Page for Bangarra Dance Theatre with original music composed by his brother David Page, Praying Mantis Dreaming combined three distinctive and different styles of dance – traditional Aboriginal, Torres Strait Island and contemporary dance.' (Source: Bangarra Dance Theatre website)