Last week BlakDance proudly presented two bold works to Perth audiences in West Australian premieres. The Other Side of Me by Gary Lang NT Dance Company (State Theatre Centre 30 April - 2 May), and SILENCE by Karul Projects at His Majesty’s Theatre (1-2 May). SILENCE is playing in the Studio at the Sydney Opera House this week (8-11 May.)
The Other Side of Me. Photo Credit Paz Tassone
Established in 2005, BlakDance is a national producing platform for First Nation contemporary dancers and choreographers. On these two compelling presentations, BlakDance Co-CEO and Executive Producer Merindah Donnelly said, “These small determined dance companies create powerful, riveting productions that reverberate throughout our land and into international contexts.”
Thomas E. S. Kelly. Image Credit Dance North
On presenting SILENCE with audiences in Perth, choreographer and Minjungbal-Yugambeh, Wiradjuri and Ni-Vanuatu man, Thomas E.S. Kelly said: “It’s been overwhelming to come across to the opposite side of the country and be so embraced by the mob here. From the WAAPA students, to the Uncles and Aunties, to the Boorloo festivals/performance communities, your support in the audience means so much, for our first visit.”
SILENCE pulls the Treaty conversation out from under the rug and slams it back on the table. In his own words, Thomas E.S. Kelly says, “SILENCE literally and symbolically breaks the silence with dynamic live percussion from composer Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie. His rich drumbeats drive the dancers forward as they explore past, present, and pose alternate realities.”
Gary Lang. Photo credit Paz Tassone
Gary Lang’s The Other Side of Me shares a poignant new angle on Stolen Generations - one young man adopted and raised in a small UK village. Stranded between two families, two countries and two cultures, this delicate duet explores colonisation’s grey areas, its wide-ranging destructive impact for all involved. It offers its audience the opportunity to experience the singing of a young man's spirit home.
On presenting The Other Side of Me with audiences in Perth, Choreographer and Larrakia man Gary Lang said: "it was exciting, overwhelming, all positive!"
On the work itself - an international, cross-cultural collaboration with Northumbria University (UK), Gary Lang says “I focused on the original crime done to him – the loss of his identity ... what he lost by not knowing the other side of himself. Split in two, each half depicted by a single dancer. Ultimately what this work became is a path to help him travel back so he knows it’s ok to come home where his spirit should be. That way we honour him - and all the others this happened to. Because this story is not just his story - it’s our story. It belongs to Australia.”
Here is a link to a trailer of The Other Side of Me
THE OTHER SIDE OF ME
Presented by Gary Lang NT Dance Company
Produced by BlakDance
CHOREOGRAPHER Gary Lang (Larrakia)
CULTURAL CONSULTANTS Josephine Crawshaw (Kalkarindji), Jesse Norris (Torres Strait Island descendent)
SONGMAN Banula Marika (Yolŋu)
NT DANCE COMPANY GENERAL MANAGER Erica McCallum
PROJECT MANAGER Elizabeth Rogers
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR Noelle Shader
CO-CREATOR/DRAMATURG/WRITER Laura Fish
CO-CREATOR/DRAMATURG Liz Pavey
PERFORMERS Chandler Connell (Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal), Tyrel Dulvarie (Kimuy) (Margaret River, Perth) & Alexander Abbot
VOICE ARTIST Janet Munyarryun (Yolŋu)
COMPOSER/SOUND DESIGNER Samuel Pankhurst
SOUND DESIGNER Arian Pearson (Yolŋu)
VIDEO ARTIST Samuel James
LIGHTING DESIGNER Joseph Mercurio
COSTUME DESIGNER Jennifer Irwin
SILENCE
Presented by Karul Projects
Produced by BlakDance
CHOREOGRAPHER/WRITER/PERFORMER Thomas E.S. Kelly (Minjungbal-Yugambeh, Wiradjuri and Ni-Vanuatu)
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR/PERFORMER Taree Sansbury (Kaurna, Narrunga and Ngarrindjerri)
CHOREOGRAPHIC DRAMATURG Vicki Van Hout (Wiradjuri)
DRAMATURG Alethea Beetson (Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi and Wiradjuri)
PERCUSSION COMPOSER/PERFORMER Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie (Mirning and Wuthathi)
PERFORMERS Benjin Maza (Yidindji, Birri Gubba, Meriam Mer and Tanna Island), Glory Tuohy-Daniell (Indjalandji-Dhidhanu and Alyewarre), Keia McGrady (Githabul Migunberri-Yugumbeh), Olivia Adams (Wulli Wulli) & Tamara Bouman (Birpai)
MUSIC/SOUND DESIGNER Sam Pankhurst
LIGHTING DESIGNER Karen Norris
COSTUME DESIGNER Selene Cochrane