Bangarra brings songs from the sand

Bangarra Dance Theatre’s major new work for the year is Sandsong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert, originally scheduled for 2020 but now premiering this year.

Sandsong is guided by Elders from the Kimberley and choreographed by Bangarra’s artistic director Stephen Page and associate artistic director Frances Rings.

“In 2020, when we started the research for SandSong," Page says, "the world was a different place. Our remote Indigenous communities, once described as 'lifestyle choices', became more crucial than ever as they functioned as refuges to protect our most precious resource: our Elders.”

Rings provides another angle to the new work: “SandSong is a glimpse into the world of the Walmajarri and Wangkajunga people from the Great Sandy Desert, who survived incredible disadvantage to keep strong a lasting cultural bedrock for future generations.”

SandSong will also include immersive soundscapes composed by Steve Francis, exquisite stage designs by Jacob Nash, atmospheric lighting designs by Nick Schlieper and stunning costume designs by Jennifer Irwin.

“Sandsong” will open in Sydney on June 8, before touring to Canberra, Bendigo, Brisbane and Melbourne. For details and tickets, go here.

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