One word that springs to mind throughout Bangarra’s Of Earth & Sky is haunting. Known for their earthy, visually stunning pieces, this double bill is no exception and leaves the audience spellbound.
Commissioned by artistic director Stephen Page, Of Earth & Sky stays true to Bangarra’s internationally recognized messages and themes whilst providing an avenue for new Indigenous choreographers to begin shaping the future of an iconic Australian dance theatre group.
The first act, Riley, by the youngest choreographic contributor for Bangarra, seasoned company dancer Daniel Riley McKinley draws inspiration from acclaimed Aboriginal filmmaker and photographer Michael Riley’s cloud series. Images form the dominant focus of the set, accompanied by an experimental soundscape that launches the haunting feeling that continues throughout all of the works. Despite being young, McKinley’s work is anything but immature and elements of the affinity McKinley shares with Riley is obvious, particularly in the closing moments of Feather which takes on a literary as well as symbolic meaning.
Artefact, the second act of Bangarra’s double bill varies greatly to the first performances but is no less captivating nor moving. Choreographed by long-time Bangarra performer Frances Rings, the opening Museum is a visually arresting piece using an almost other worldly looking cloak that expels plumes of dust and covers the dancers, McKinley and Travis De Vries and evokes and even eerier sense of being a spectator of another other time and place. Rings’ pieces focus on the value and importance that objects have for Indigenous people and Grinding Stone in particular - a piece performed by the male ensemble - furthers this with ghostly connotations of their past.
Of Earth & Sky is visually compelling throughout, with each element of performance working seamlessly to reaffirm by Bangarra is still a force to be reckoned with on the national and international dance scenes.
Whilst minimal, Jacob Nash’s set design further tells the stories unfolding on stage, and when paired with David Page’s musical creativity, heightens the haunting experience that is Of Earth & Sky.
Of Earth & Sky
Glen Street Theatre
28 March to 1 April
