Collaborating with a visual artist for the first time, Bangarra Dance Theatre with Illume has produced arguably its most visually beautiful Bangarra production to date.
Listed as the production’s Artistic and Cultural Collaborator, Darrell Sibosado is a Goolarrgon Bard man from Lombadina, Western Australia. An artisan who works with mother-of- pearl, Sibosado has particular interest in the possibilities of art as a medium for transitioning intergenerational and age-old cultural practices and languages into contemporary life.
As the name suggests Illume is concerned with light as a central component of the belief system of the Bard-Bardi Jawi people and features prominently in their creation stories.
The work commences in darkness. Stars slowly begin to appear until the entire stage is filled with a beautiful starscape representing an enveloping constellation.
Shadowy figures dart mysteriously among the stars until the entire ensemble are revealed and for the next 70 minutes perform an unbroken series of striking abstract sequences illustrating the history of Sibosado’s ancestors.
On opening night, the performance commenced 20 minutes late, and while informative programs were distributed among the audience as they entered the theatre, there was little time to study the detail. But even without understanding the cultural significance of much of the choreography and iconography it was still possible to appreciate the beauty of the physical movement and presentation.
Set designer Charles Davis, whose designs for Opera Australia’s Rusalka are currently mesmerising audiences at the Sydney Opera House, has designed a striking, constantly evolving abstract dreamworld that emerges from and retreats into a smoky infinity.
Embracing the symbolism imbedded in Sibosado’s actual artworks together with elements of fire, water, shells, the stunning lighting design by Damien Cooper, and exceptional video imagery of Craig Wilkinson, Davis constantly creates extraordinary environments to support the storytelling by the dancers.
Emphasising the communal nature of the Bardi and Jawi people, most of the dances choreographed for Illume by Frances Rings are group dances, with occasional soloists featured briefly.
Elizabeth Gadsby’s costumes, while making no pretence of historical accuracy, not only enhanced the dancers’ movements, but also provided a theatrically timeless look appropriate to the intent of the production and were both imaginative and satisfying.
Interestingly, Brendon Boney’s music had a more contemporary sound to it than usually association with Bangarra Dance Theatre’s productions but complimented the feeling of timelessness engendered by the visual beauty of the production.
With Illume, Frances Rings, her dancers and collaborators have created an epic work of considerable beauty to portray the journey of the Bard-Bardi Jawi people. The cultural references may be more sophisticated and less accessible than previous, but there is much which stays in the memory, especially the joyful, broad, sweeping group choreography of the Mother of Pearl reprise that ends the evening.
Illume
Canberra Theatre – Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, Canberra
Performance: Friday 25 July 2025
Bangarra will present Illume at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (1 – 9 August), Darwin Entertainment Centre (15 & 16 August) and Arts Centre Melbourne( 4 – 13 September). For more information, visit: www.bangarra.com.au for details.
Images: Artists of Bangarra Dance Theatre in Illume – photo by Daniel Boud | Lillian Banks, Janaya Lamb and James Boyd in Illume – photo by Daniel Boud
Review: Bill Stephens OAM