Bangarra Dance Theatre returns to Victoria this month and to Hobart in September, with a breathtaking performance tour of Kinship, by award-winning choreographer Stephen Page.
Kinship brings together two of Bangarra’s most loved dance works. Brolga is a creation story inspired by the totemic systems in Australian Aboriginal culture, where every person is assigned a creature totem related to their clan.
Set in North East Arnhem Land, a young girl ventures out before sunset and finds herself on a brolga (large birds) feeding ground. As she is challenged by her totemic temptation, she takes us on a journey of exploring relationships between humans and creatures, reflecting on the intrinsic spirituality of the natural world.
The second work will be ID, originally performed in the acclaimed production, Belong. ID investigates what it means to be Aboriginal in the 21st century, asking important questions of identity.
In a series of dramatic and humorous observations, Stephen Page contemplates human nature in modern society where skin colour can drive perceptions rather than embracing differences.
This bold dance theatre work celebrates the resilience of Australian Aboriginal culture in both its traditional and contemporary forms.
“Our dancers are great role models for Indigenous young people,” says Bangarra’s Artistic Director Stephen Page.
“They come from diverse backgrounds, some from remote and others from urban communities. Each of them are part of the contemporary expression of over 40,000 years of continuous cultural practice.”
“They help young people to see the value of rekindling their culture and being proud of their identity.”
Kinship opens at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre on 15 August 2013. The production will then tour to Dandenong, Mildura, Warragul, Sale, Frankston and Nunawading, and then onto Hobart at the Theatre Royal.
During the tour, Bangarra will also host a series of workshops to inspire and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly young people, in Victoria and Hobart.
For more information, visit: www.bangarra.com.au for details.
Image: Waangenga Blanco by Jeff Busby
