Sheltering

The name “Bangarra” means “to make fire” in the Wiradjuri language. Founded in 1989, the company is comprised of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers. Highly trained, they are impressive professionals with a natural affinity for movement.

Prior to its season at QPAC, Sheltering was presented at the Canberra Theatre Centre, Sydney Opera House (no less) and Arts Centre Melbourne.

The opening performance, Keeping Grounded was originally created for Dance Clan 2023. Reimagined for this year’s tour, clearly, it’s not a work that will stagnate or grow stale.

The only prop – an enormous fishing net was well utilised. I saw more than the information provided in the programme notes (which presents the net as a barrier between ground and sky). Suspended above the stage, I perceived it as also symbolic of capture (caught in a net), security (safety net) and sustenance (fishing for food).

The complex choreography by Glory Tuohy-Daniel varies between performance upon the stage as well as within the net. Placing a dancer inside the net also added an immersive, aerial element to the dance. An additional layer of challenge for the performer and intrigue for the audience.

It would not be easy to gracefully, beautifully and seemingly, effortlessly navigate the net. That’s why they’re tackled in obstacle courses. Keeping Grounded and the final work, Sheoak showcase the inherent, cultural uniqueness and beauty of Indigenous dance. I was fascinated by this mesmerising dance form.

In contrast to classical ballet, there is no elevation of the body, no dramatic leaps. The dancers do a lot of floor work and weight bearing on hands and shoulders. There are lifts in which the raised dancers remain relaxed in curved positions as opposed to balletic reaches.

Brown Boys directed by Daniel Mateo and Cass Mortimer Eipper is a filmed presentation. The work was choreographed by and exquisitely performed by Mateo. it’s a poetic, sensitive and deeply personal capture of connection between man, earth and sky. Few subjects could withstand the close scrutiny of camera and look as magnificent as Mateo.

Overall, this was an evening of impressive, visionary dance works wonderfully performed by an elite company. Deservedly, Bangarra have been honoured with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Dance. This prestigious, international accolade will be awarded at the Venice Biennale on 26 July. Attendance is highly recommended.