Bangarra Dance Theatre Australia Limited
ABN 96 003 814 006
Pier 4/5 Hickson Road,
Walsh Bay, NSW, 2000
Australia
web: www.bangarra.com.au
Ph: 61 2 9251 5333
Fax: 61 2 9251 5266
email:
bangarra@bangarra.com.au
CORROBOREE MEDIA INFORMATION 13.6.01
CORROBOREE
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE SONGLINES OF THREE DREAMINGS
Widely acclaimed for its "exquisitely beautiful" production of Skin in last year's Olympic Arts Festival and winner of two Helpmann Awards in 2000, Australia's leading Indigenous dance company will premiere a new triple-bill work in 2001 titled Corroboree.
Bangarra Dance Theatre's Corroboree will premiere in Brisbane (June 20 to 23 at The Playhouse Theatre, QPAC) and will then tour to Melbourne (July 25 to 28 at The Playhouse, VAC) and to Sydney (September 11 to 15 at the Theatre Royal)
A rich visual feast and a return to the purity of dance and tradition, Stephen Page's new triple bill embraces the Dreamtime, a time when animal spirits occupied the land without the influence of humans. Quietly political and evocative, Corroboree strives to bring attention to the origins of life.
"Corroboree explores the transformation of the human spirit, the relationship between Aboriginal people, creatures and the land and what it is that unifies us as one" says Stephen Page. "Corroboree is about challenging, awakening and cleansing the spirit."
From the brolga plains of Arnhem Land to the cool swirling waters of the Torres Strait, Corroboree journeys through the songlines of three Dreamings that are central to the lives of Indigenous people ¬ that of brolga (Gudurrku), red kangaroo (Dhum Dhum) and sea turtle (Waru).
Brolga tells the story of a young girl and her transformation. It draws on the ritualistic cleansing of the spirit during wet season in the brolga plains of Arnhem Land. The most overtly political story of the three, Roo, explores the relationship between hunter and prey. The sweep and stab of the 4WD headlight and the music pounding like a heart expresses the very essence of fear and confinement. Turtle features the creative cultural input and additional composition of Bangarra dancer Peggy Misi, and relates to the sand, the sea and the waters of the Torres Strait, recalling the everyday turbulence of birth and death, life and struggle.
Choreography by Stephen Page; Music by David Page & Steve Francis; Lighting design by Joe Mercurio; Costume design by Jennifer Irwin; Set design by John Matkovic & Stephen Page; Cultural Consultant Djakapurra Munyarryun; Additional composition for Turtle by Peggy Misi.
Corroboree features the full Bangarra ensemble including Djakapurra Munyarryun, Frances Rings, Russell Page, Elma Kris, Peggy Misi, Sidney Saltner, Lewis Lampton, Yolande Brown, Joel Blanco, Sani Townson, Victor Bramich, Desley Roberts and Peta Strachan.
Sydney Season
12 - 15 September
Theatre Royal, MLC Centre, King Street, Sydney
12-15 September at 8pm (Matinees 13 Sept 1pm, 15 Sept 2pm)
Tickets start at $30.
For bookings phone 136 166 or book online at www.ticketmaster7.com or in person at Theatre Royal and at all Ticketmaster7 Outlets.
*Booking fees apply
Brisbane Season
June 20 - 23
Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
For bookings phone QTIX 136 246 or book online at www.qtix.com.au
Melbourne Season
July 25 to 28
Playhouse, Victorian Arts Centre
For bookings phone Ticketmaster on 136 166 or book online at www.ticketmaster7.com
The information on this page is also available as a media release document in PDF form here.
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