Bangarra Dance Theatre will take a new double bill to Sydney, Canberra, Wollongong, Brisbane and Melbourne this year. Entitled “lore” the program features two new works, one by Frances Rings, and the other by company dancers Waangenga Blanco and Deborah Brown.
Rings’s work for “lore”, Sheoak, is a testimony to the challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities today. A Sheoak, also known as the Grandmother Tree is a symbol of shelter, medicine and protection. By lore it was a refuge, a portrait of hope, while the tree itself stands as a true witness to the changing lives of each new generation and a testimony to their birthright.
Blanco and Brown’s work represents the pair’s choreographic debut at Bangarra. Named I.B.I.S, the work depicts the colourful island life of the Torres Strait Islands. Embarking on a discovery of Australia’s tropical islands, I.B.I.S is a celebration of the resilience and optimism of the Torres Strait Islander people. Seven of the company’s 16 dancers have Torres Strait Islander heritage, including Blanco and Brown. This will be the fourth work inspired by stories from this location in Bangarra’s repertoire.
Both works will feature original music. Rings will collaborate with David Page on Sheoak’s score, and Steve Francis will compose the music for I.B.I.S.
For more information, including bookings head to http://bangarra.com.au/performance/lore