In a landmark collaboration, Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia and The New Zealand Dance Company come together to present GLORIA – A Triple Bill, a celebration of life and legacy in dance and music. The season runs 31 March and 1 April 2026 at His Majesty's Theatre, following performances in regional Western Australia and at the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.
At the heart of the programme is Douglas Wright’s GLORIA, a towering work of contemporary dance set to Antonio Vivaldi’s sacred score. Premiered in 1990 and remounted only a handful of times since, the work was last staged by Co3 in 2022 and now returns by popular demand. Acclaimed as one of New Zealand’s most significant artistic voices of the 21st century, Wright’s choreography is celebrated for its beauty, bravery and innovation.
Performed by ten dancers, GLORIA bursts with joy and hope as bodies fly, twist and turn in an airborne celebration of life. For the Perth performances, the work will be accompanied live by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and St George’s Cathedral Consort, conducted by Joseph Nolan, underscoring the work’s emotional sweep and grandeur.
The triple bill also features two complementary works from leading choreographic voices on either side of the Tasman.
Co3’s Founding Artistic Director Raewyn Hill presents A MOVING PORTRAIT, an excerpt from her larger work IN THE SHADOW OF TIME. Set to Arvo Pärt’s Tabula Rasa Ludus II. Silentium and performed by five Co3 dancers, the work offers a meditative reflection on ageing, fragility and grace. Costumes are by acclaimed Australian Japanese designer Akira Isogawa.
From Aotearoa, Moss Te Ururangi Patterson, Artistic Director of The New Zealand Dance Company, contributes LAMENT. Performed by five NZDC dancers, the work traces a powerful journey through memory and resilience, honouring whakapapa and the visionary artistry of Douglas Wright.
Dancers from both companies join forces to conclude the evening with GLORIA, bringing the two ensembles together in a shared act of tribute and collaboration.
“For Co3 and for me, this season marks a moment of connection, pride, and shared momentum,” says Hill. “Touring the work across Aotearoa with New Zealand Dance Company before sharing it with audiences in Western Australia, through a regional tour and a limited season in Perth, marks a powerful moment of collaboration between Co3 and the New Zealand Dance Company.”
Patterson echoes that sentiment: “Collaboration sits at the heart of this programme, and the opportunity to present work in Western Australia is an absolute highlight. We’re so honoured to be working alongside the amazing team at CO3.”
The Boorloo (Perth) season runs 31 March at 7.30pm and 1 April at 1.00pm and 7.30pm, with tickets ranging from $30 to $75. Regional performances take place in Margaret River and Karratha in late March, following the New Zealand festival season.
With smoke and strobe effects and brief minimal nudity noted in content advisories, GLORIA – A Triple Bill promises an evening of scale and intimacy alike, honouring a singular choreographic voice while forging a vibrant trans-Tasman partnership.