Bangarra to tour to Europe

 

Bangarra is embarking on a three-city European tour in late October, taking its most ambitious international program to date.

The company will perform programs a total of six shows in Copenhagen, Bonn and Berlin. The tour will include activities designed to deepen local engagement and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. The company will hold dance and culture workshops with local youth and Indigenous groups; professional contemporary dance masterclasses; and a didgeridoo showcase with Bangarra’s cultural consultant and founding member, Djakapurra Munyarryun.

Each country has a tailored season. Copenhagen will see Spirit, a mixed bill of Bangarra’s best repertoire; audiences in Bonn will see Spirit alongside Jasmin Sheppard’s powerful Macq; and Berlin will be treated to the triple bill "OUR land people stories", featuring Stephen Page’s Nyapanyapa, Sheppard’s Macq and Daniel Riley and Beau Dean Riley Smith’s kinship story Miyagan.

This will be Bangarra’s 25th international tour, having toured to almost 70 countries since inception. The executive director of Bangarra, Philippe Magid, said performing overseas was important for the company for a number of reasons. 

“These tours provide our incredible artists with an opportunity to perform in some of the world’s premier theatres and dance meccas, and they cement Bangarra as a world-class performing arts company who is showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence on the international stage,” said Magid.

“Perhaps of even greater importance is the opportunity for us to engage in cultural exchange and open a dialogue between Australia and the world. We’re proud of our role as cultural ambassadors and grateful for the support of the Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to make this tour possible.”

Bangarra’s Berlin showcase is the centrepiece of the Australia now program in Germany (follow @Australianow on Twitter).

Off the stage highlights of the tour will be a cultural dance workshop in Copenhagen with a small group of Inuit students, professional dance masterclasses with the Royal Danish Theatre, and a mini-festival of events in Berlin, featuring creative forums with artistic director Stephen Page, Set Designer Jacob Nash and the dance ensemble

See our review of Bangarra’s Sydney season of 'Bennelong' here.