FOLLOWING ACCLAIMED WORLD PREMIERE IN MELBOURNE
BANGARRA DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS
Blak
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE FROM JUNE 7 2013
“Spine-tingling moments like these are part of what makes Bangarra’s performances unique” The Age
“Blak is conceptually rich and well worth seeing” Herald Sun
“The score for Blak is a standalone triumph “ Everguide
“The choreography was mesmerising, its technical execution flawless” Broadway World
“Visually gorgeous” The Australian
Following its acclaimed World Premiere season in Melbourne, Bangarra Dance Theatre’s new show Blak is on its way to Sydney.
Blak will be presented at the Sydney Opera House from June 7, following a season in Wollongong at IPAC on May 17 and 18. Bangarra’s Artistic Director, Stephen Page says, “The standing ovations in Melbourne throughout the season were overwhelming. We’ve presented such a personal series of stories and ideas in Blak, it’s gratifying to have audiences responding in this way. Paul Mac’s collaboration with my brother David to create the soundtrack provides a driving, rhythmic energy that matches the power of our dancers’ performance.”
Blak tells the story of a contemporary clan and the collision of two worlds. The work is presented in three parts and brings together Bangarra’s youngest choreographer, dancer Daniel Riley McKinley with their most experienced, Stephen Page.
The first section, Scar, is choreographed by Daniel, who also dances in the piece. Scar features the male dancers of the company and guest dancer Hunter Page-Lochard. A gang of boys present themselves, preparing their spirits for the physical and mental journey they have to take. Moving forward as a clan they must listen for and recognise the calling of tradition; their rites of passage. It is an ascent to manhood, a search for self-identiy within their shared urban world view.
The second section is choreographed by Stephen Page. Yearning features the female dancers of Bangarra and takes the audience on a journey through the phases of life women experience. Birth, Loss, Native Tongue, Broken and Unearthed explore themes of knowing your language, knowing where you come from, woman’s spirit and strength and the personal journey to self identity through dances of celebration and bitter sweet initiation.
Daniel and Stephen have worked together to create Keepers, the third and final section of Blak. Keepers unites the male and female dancers in a powerful and spirited celebration of traditional culture and knowledge.
