“True Stories’ by Bangarra Dance Theatre

The indigenous dance company Bangarra Dance Theatre is presenting their new show True Stories at Sydney Opera House. I saw the show last week; it’s fabulous, very powerful and beautiful. About Bangarra (www.bangarra.com.au):

Bangarra Dance Theatre is one of the youngest and the oldest of Australia’s dance companies. Its living traditions go back at least 40,000 years with the indigenous people of Australia, yet it also reflects the lives and attitudes of indigenous people today.The company blends traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture with international contemporary dance influences to create a truly Australian dance language.

One of the stories in the show is called X300 by choreographer Francis Ring:

In the 1950s a series of atomic explosions were conducted on Marilinga Tjarutja traditional lands. The code name of the test site was X300. Francis Rings’ new work powerfully and spectacularly explores a landscape assumed vacant and cleared of occupation but which in reality became a contaminated desert which poisoned the people.

The other story is called Emeret Lu (‘Very Old Things’) by choreographer Elma Kris:

The passion and the energy of the traditional people of the Torres Straits fuel this exhilarating new work by choreographer, Elma Kris. She explores her people’s love of the land, the sea and of each other with an exuberance handed down from generation to generation. The power and excitement of dances celebrating rain, wind, the hunt, desire and pleasure mingle with the charm of the spiritual to create an uplifting work of lasting imagery and a thrilling experience of a fascinating and little-known culture.

The show is still on at Sydney Opera House.

Friday 3 August – Saturday 1 September
Evenings Tuesday – Saturday 8pm
Matinees Saturdays 4, 11, 18, 25 Aug and 1 Sep 2pm
Thursdays 9, 16, 23 Aug 12.30pm

You can get more information on www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Don’t miss this show!