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MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Thursday 19 March 2015
lore: Frances Rings, Waangenga Blanco and Deborah Brown premiere two
unmissable new works in 2015
Deeply moving performances, incredible dancing and authentic storytelling are the
trademarks of any Bangarra Dance Theatre season, and none more so than the
company’s new double bill, lore.
This world premiere season opens at the Sydney Opera House on 11 June, before
travelling to Canberra, Wollongong, Brisbane and Melbourne. The company are in
peak form after their 25th anniversary season in 2014, which received widespread
praise from both audiences and critics.
Curated by Artistic Director Stephen Page, lore features two brand-new works
featuring three choreographers. The trio have drawn from their own stories and
experiences to create these personal and heartfelt works, with themes of identity,
inequality, climate change and sustainability. Both are realistic in their portrayal of life
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but contain a hopeful and positive
outlook for the future.
Acclaimed choreographer Frances Rings returns to the mainstage with Sheoak, 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.
Complementing this piece is I.B.I.S, created jointly by crowd-pleasing Bangarra
dancers Waangenga (pronounced Wawn-nee-ga) Blanco and Deborah Brown.
Depicting colourful island life in their home, the Torres Strait Islands, this is the first
live dance theatre work for the company by either dancer.
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
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Nicole Lovelock, Media & Communications Manager
Bangarra Dance Theatre
M: 0412 564 238
E: [email protected]
CONNECT WITH BANGARRA
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.
Page is excited to watch the creation of both works in the studio.
“Frances’ has proven herself time and time again to be one of Australia’s most
innovative and successful choreographers; she is brilliant at what she does and
Sheoak promises to be a powerfully beautiful piece. Waangenga and Deborah are at
the start of their choreographic careers but I can already see that they have a bright
future, and will bring their imitable stage presence to draw the best performances out
of the dancers.”
Rings will collaborate with Bangarra’s Head of Music David Page on Sheoak’s score,
while Steve Francis will compose the music for I.B.I.S. Both works will feature sets by
Bangarra’s Creative Visual Designer Jacob Nash and costumes by long-time
Bangarra collaborator Jennifer Irwin.
At once compelling and profound, lore will be an unforgettable night of dance.
DATES
Sydney Opera House, Sydney 11 – 27 June
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra 9 – 11 July
Merrigong Theatre Company, Wollongong 24 – 25 July
Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane 7 – 15 August
Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne 28 August – 5 September
To book visit www.bangarra.com.au/lore
CREDITS
Sheoak (2015)
Choreography Frances Rings
Music David Page
Set Design Jacob Nash
Costume Design Jennifer Irwin
Lighting Design Karen Norris
I.B.I.S (2015)
Choreography Waangenga Blanco and Deborah Brown
Music Steve Francis
Set Design Jacob Nash
Costume Design Jennifer Irwin
Lighting Design Karen Norris
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Nicole Lovelock, Media & Communications Manager
Bangarra Dance Theatre
M: 0412 564 238
E: [email protected]
CONNECT WITH BANGARRA