Bangarra Dance Theatre to Bring KINSHIP to Adelaide Festival Centre, 22-25 October

As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2014, internationally acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre will present Kinship, a breathtaking theatrical experience of contemporary dance by award-winning choreographer Stephen Page, at the Adelaide Festival Centre from Wednesday 22 October until Saturday 25 October 2014.

Presented in 2014 as part of the largest ever Australian regional tour conducted by the company, Kinship brings together two of Bangarra's most loved dance works: Brolga and ID.

Brolga is a creation story inspired by the totemic systems in Australian Aboriginal culture, where every person is assigned a totem related to their clan. Set in North East Arnhem Land, a young girl ventures out before sunset and finds herself on a brolga feeding ground. As she is challenged by her totemic temptation, she takes us on a journey of exploring relationships between humans and creatures, reflecting on the intrinsic spirituality of the natural world.

ID investigates what it means to be Aboriginal in the 21st century, asking important questions of identity. In a series of dramatic and humorous observations, Stephen Page contemplates human nature in modern society where skin colour can drive perceptions rather than embracing differences.

This bold dance theatre work celebrates the resilience of Australian Aboriginal culture in both its traditional and contemporary forms.

Performing as part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance ensemble is Bangarra's artist in residence and respected elder from Yirrkala, North East Arnhem Land, Kathy Balngayngu Marika. Kathy's traditional knowledge and spirit is at the heart of Bangarra, informing the skills, culture, language, music and storytelling that come together to create the company's distinctive work. Kathy Marika received the Deadly Award for Dancer of the Year in 2011.

Bangarra's 14 member dance ensemble comes from various Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander regions of Australia. One of them, Kaine Sultan-Babij is a proud descendant of the Arrernte people of Harts Range in the Central Desert region. Prior to joining Bangarra in 2011, Kaine performed with Adelaide based company Leigh Warren and Dancers for the season Breathe choreographed by Bangarra artist-in-resident Frances Rings.

Bangarra creates a truly Australian theatrical experience that connects the spirit of traditional culture with our contemporary lives, producing inspiring dance theatre productions of integrity and excellence that resonate with people throughout Australia and the world. Artistic Director Stephen Page has long been recognised for his phenomenal ability to create milestone productions in the Australian cultural cannon.

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