Press release
The fire of Bangarra continues to burn brightly 20 years on
Australia’s most successful Indigenous dance company, the critically acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in 2009 with a national and international program of electrifying and innovative contemporary dance.
Meaning ‘to make fire' in traditional Wiradjeri language, Bangarra was formed by an energetic and talented group of NAISDA graduates in 1989 and has evolved to become one of Australia’s leading contemporary dance companies, touring extensively to great acclaim throughout Australia, Europe, Asia and the USA.
Under the brilliant and inspirational artistic direction of Stephen Page, Bangarra has strived to maintain the cultural integrity and spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tradition and combine it with contemporary expressions of dance and music to create unique theatrical experiences, and to deliver these experiences to audiences across Australia and around the world.
To celebrate Bangarra’s 20th Anniversary milestone, Stephen has created a retrospective work called FIRE - A RETROSPECTIVE, featuring the most memorable and compelling elements of the company’s repertoire during its extraordinary 20-year journey. The work traces Bangarra from its modest beginnings to its current status as an enormously respected and lauded dance company around the world.
The national tour of FIRE - A RETROSPECTIVE will visit Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle and Wollongong from August to November and will include a 'Corroborree night' for all the past performers and members of Bangarra and a 'Gala Performance' at the Sydney Opera House to officially mark the 20-year Anniversary.
Bangarra is also embarking on a European tour in April 2009, taking their unique blend of spiritual and contemporary dance to the world by performing the critically acclaimed True Stories in Germany, Austria and Hungary.
“The enduring success of Bangarra has presented us with an incredible opportunity to share the stories and history of our Indigenous culture and to awaken peoples spiritual consciousness, not only with Australians but with people all over the world, it’s been such an amazing experience, learning from the elders and giving back to the younger generation, we feel so honoured to be entrusted with this custodial role,” said Stephen.
From the stages of Europe and the United States, to the Sydney Opera House and the Arts Centre in Melbourne, from the Edinburgh Festival to the Olympic Games, Bangarra’s credits are as diverse and rich as the performances themselves.
From their ground breaking works in the early ‘90’s, through Stephen Page’s brilliant collaborations with The Australian Ballet, the depth of talent within the company and the passion and spirit displayed by all those involved, Bangarra Dance Theatre is extremely well placed to continue to astound audiences around Australia and the world for another 20 years.
Just a small step in the 40,000 years of tradition they are endeavouring to keep alive.
In June the company is planning to return to Arnhem Land to reconnect with the origins of Bangarra, to sit with the elders and absorb the customs, traditions and stories that will further enrich their performances.
Bangarra Dance Theatre would like to acknowledge the generous support of their sponsors; Boral, BHP Billiton, Commonwealth Bank, The City of Melbourne, Arts Victoria and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria , Qantas Airways, JC Decaux, The Australia Council for the Arts, ArtsNSW and the Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund.