Bangarra Dance Theatre Coming to QPAC

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 production, lore.

The award winning Bangarra Dance Theatre will bring their brand new double bill to the Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 7 to 15 August 2015.

This world premiere season opens at the Sydney Opera House 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 audiences and critics alike.

Curated by Bangarra Artistic Director Stephen Page, lore features two brand-new works by 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 works 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 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", said Page.

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.

Performing in partnership with QPAC for 18 of the Centre's 30 years, Bangarra Dance Theatre and QPAC have a strong relationship and a joint commitment to ensuring the continuation of a deeper connection and a high level of engagement between the wider Queensland community and our First Nations Peoples.

At once compelling and profound, lore will be an unforgettable night of dance and one not to be missed. Book now via qpac.com.au or call 136 246.

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