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

MEDIA RELEASE FEBRUARY 2ND, 2004

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
EMMA COLLISON PUBLICITY
Ph: 02 9699 5199
Mobile: 0418 584 795
mmsemmac@bigpond.net.au

BANGARRA'S DOUBLE BILL - CLAN - SET TO LIGHT UP AUSTRALIAN STAGES IN 2004

Bangarra Dance Theatre is set to follow up on the sell-out success of Bush last year with a spectacular double bill, CLAN, featuring Frances Rings' explosive new work Unaipon and Stephen Page's evocative compilation Reflections. CLAN will open in Brisbane (April 29 -May 8) before touring to Melbourne (June 10 -19) and concluding in Sydney (June 25 - July 17) with the company's welcome return to the Sydney Opera House. Featuring Bangarra's unique blend of physical poetry and breathtaking visual effects CLAN is dance theatre at its most captivating.

Frances Rings' work Unaipon (pronounced You-nigh-pon) is inspired by the extraordinary life and vibrant intellect of Aboriginal inventor, writer and philosopher David Unaipon who is featured on the Australian $50 note. Distilling the passion and vision of this inspirational pioneer, Frances Rings has created a dynamic and highly potent piece of dance theatre.

Described as Australia's Leonardo Da Vinci, David Unaipon (1872-1967) is credited with being the first Aboriginal writer to be published, with developing modern shearing shears and with making the connection between helicopter aerodynamics and the flight pattern of a boomerang. As a passionate scholar of theology and philosophy, Unaipon argued that Aboriginal traditions should be considered equal to those of all the great cultures of the world.

"People like Unaipon have always fascinated me - they straddled Aboriginal and white culture, they lived in two worlds. They were brave enough to walk in a land that had no track and they made a track for us to follow. This is our history, a history shared by all Australians. " says choreographer Frances Rings.

Reflections brings together the best of the award-winning choreography of Bangarra's artistic director Stephen Page. Excerpts from milestone works such as Ochres, Fish and Skin are woven together into one sensual and emotive journey. This is an opportunity to experience the choreographic and theatrical innovation which has earned Stephen Page and Bangarra outstanding national and international acclaim. Reflections brings to the stage the vision of one of Australia's most respected theatrical artists.

"Bangarra has brought a new dance language to the world. These works have found a place in the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere. It is a rewarding process for me to return to these works and to bring new experiences and lessons with me," says artistic director Stephen Page.

Bangarra Dance Theatre, CLAN

Thanks to Principal Sponsor, Telstra video clips of Bangarra's work can now be viewed at www.bangarra.com.au

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES CONTACT:
EMMA COLLISON ON 02 9699 5199 OR 0418 584 795 OR mmsemmac@bigpond.net.au