Sydney Dance Company has announced its 2021 Season, comprising of the world premiere of the eagerly anticipated collaboration between Rafael Bonachela and Bryce Dessner, Impermanence; the return of the award-winning contemporary classic ab [intra]; and New Breed – presenting the very best in emerging Australian choreography. In addition, the company will also be touring to more locations across Australia in 2021 than ever before.
“Following the excitement of our 50th anniversary in 2019, when 2020 began, we certainly didn’t expect that events would unfold as they did,” said Artistic Director. Rafael Bonachela. “Like all of us, Sydney Dance Company has had a challenging year, but we are still here and still moving forward!”
After the heartbreaking disappointment of cancelling Impermanence a matter of days before opening night, we are absolutely delighted to announce that our first Sydney season in February will be its world premiere! The COVID shutdown inspired me to extend Impermanence to make it a full length work – a response to the uncertainty we all face.
“Impermanence sees the dancers joined onstage by our dear friends, the exceptional Australian String Quartet, playing Bryce Dessner’s exquisite score live. How poignant that a work originally influenced by the fragility of existence is the first to be staged after the devastation of the pandemic.”
“We are also thrilled that the global smash hit ab [intra] returns for a special encore season in September and that the year concludes with exhilarating new work in the eighth edition of New Breed. I can’t wait to share all of these works with you in 2021,” said Mr Bonachela.
Subscription packages for the 2021 Season are now available. Additional Sydney Dance Company performance dates outside of Sydney will be announced in early 2021. For more information, visit: www.sydneydancecompany.com for details.
Image: Sydney Dance Company presents Impermanence – photo by Pedro Greig
Sydney Dance Company 2021 Season:
Season One:
Impermanence
Roslyn Packer Theatre: 16 – 27 February
A visceral and thrilling exploration of the juxtaposition of beauty and devastation, Sydney Dance Company’s full length work, Impermanence, is Rafael Bonachela’s newest creation. Contemporary composer, Bryce Dessner has composed a new score full of emotional power. Best known as a founder of American rock band, The National, and for his film scores for The Revenant and The Two Popes, Dessner was initially inspired by the tragedy of the Australian bush fires and the Notre-Dame fire in Paris. Performed live on stage by the Australian String Quartet, and the full power of Sydney Dance Company’s ensemble, this is an epic, driven performance that packs an emotional punch.
Season Two:
ab [intra]
Roslyn Packer Theatre: 7 – 11 September
Rafael Bonachela’s dynamic and powerful masterwork ab [intra] returns for a very special encore season in September. After a sell-out European tour in 2019 showcasing Australia’s best contemporary dancers. ab [intra], meaning ‘from within’ in Latin is ‘an exploration of our primal instincts, our impulses and our visceral responses,’ says choreographer Rafael Bonachela. From tenderness to turmoil, ab [intra] is a journey of intense human existence that commands your attention. The music fuses lush cello concerto with ambient electronica as the exquisite dancers occupy a visually arresting ethereal world. This is a ferociously physical and heartfelt piece that will stay with you long after you leave the theatre.
Season Three:
New Breed
Carriageworks: 22 November – 11 December
Meet the new breed of Australian dance creators In 2021 Sydney Dance Company, Carriageworks and The Balnaves Foundation continue their commitment to emerging choreographers and present the eighth edition of New Breed. Showcasing a rich diversity of choreographic ideas, an incredibly talented group of choreographers will create brand new pieces on members of Sydney Dance Company. Don’t miss this limited season of raw talent and fresh ideas from some of Australia’s most exciting dance creators. New Breed is made possible by The Balnaves Foundation.
National Tour:
Impermanence
Travel and border restrictions permitting, 2021 will see Sydney Dance Company perform in more Australian cities and towns in one year than ever before. As part of this will be national tour of Impermanence, which will tour to 16 towns and cities across six states and territories from May to August 2021, with Federal and NSW State Government support. In a first for Sydney Dance Company, the dancers will be joined onstage by the Australian String Quartet in two thirds of these locations, performing Dessner’s new score live.