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Members of the audience are invited to a spiritual journey filled with striking theatrical images in which Aboriginal tradition is expressed in modern dance idioms this Friday and Saturday (November 1 and 2) at the Hong Kong City Hall.
Performed by the Bangarra Dance Theatre from Australia, "Corroboree" blends old and new in an attempt to highlight aspects of contemporary Australian cultural identity, entwined with spirituality and philosophy brought from 40,000 years of living traditions. It is one of the programmes of the "New Vision Arts Festival".
Through the songlines of three indigenous Australian dreamings: "Brolga", "Kangaroo", and "Turtle", this beautifully evocative work strives to bring attention to the origins of life.
"Brolga" depicts a ritualistic cleansing of the spirit, wet season in the meeting grounds of Arnhem Land; "Kangaroo" focuses on stalking of prey in the headlights, the very essence of time and fear; "Turtle" reflects the everyday turbulence of birth and death in the Torres Strait Island.
"Corroboree" is the product of a talented creative team headed by Artistic Director and choreographer Stephen Page, and Assistant Artistic Director Jasmine Gulash. In his note, Page said "It's reawakening how indigenous culture, songs and inspirations, icon, and myths were inspiring to mainstream western society."
Appointed as the Artistic Director of the 2004 Adelaide Festival, Stephen Page also choreographed for the Atlanta Olympic Games and directed the Indigenous segments of the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games.
Descended from the Noonukul people in Queensland, Stephen Page danced with the Sydney Dance Company until 1991 when he was appointed Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre. He successfully established milestones for the company and for Australian dance. His work "Skin" had won Australia's coveted Helpmann Award 2000 for the Best New Australian Work and Best Dance Work.
Cultural Consultant Djakapurra Munyarryun is the cultural consultant as well as a traditional dancer and virtuoso didjeridu player of Bangarra Dance Theatre. He played a feature role in the indigenous segment of the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Dancer Peggy Misi is from Thursday Island, Torres Strait Islander. She collaborated with Stephen Page, Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre on the choreography of the "Turtle" segment in "Corroboree".
Another dancer Frances Rings is the star of the "Corroboree" who dances the Brolga segment. She has won much praise and nominations for her choreography and dancing.
Bangarra Dance Theatre is one of Australia's most exciting dance companies which brings a unique combination of contemporary dance and Australian Aboriginal culture and tradition. The theatre has thrilled audience around the world, most memorably during the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games.
"Corroboree" will be staged at 8pm on November 1-2 at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall.
Tickets priced at $100, $160, $220 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are offered to full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients. Package discounts are up to 20 percent.
For programme details, please get the programme brochures at URBTIX outlets or browse through the web-site www.newvisionartsfest.com.hk
Telephone reservation can be made on 2734 9009 and programme enquiries on 2370 1044.
End/Tuesday, October 29, 2002
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