Three way visionaries

Adelaide-based Restless Dance Theatre is thrilled to announce that the esteemed Julie Shanahan, alumna of the Pina Bausch Company, is to join  the company for its UTOPINA Repertory Lab | Excerpts from Kontakthof, a piece by Pina Bausch with guest artists and Back to Back Theatre.

This exciting collaboration brings together three visionary entities, each renowned for their innovative approaches to dance and performance. 

Leading the project is Roz Hervey, Restless Dance Theatre’s Creative Producer, Creative Collaborator and Dramaturg. Hervey’s professional relationship with Shanahan spans four decades, beginning with their work together at Australia’s premiere dance theatre company, One Extra Company, in the 1980s. Hervey has long admired Bausch’s work and Shanahan was a principal dancer with Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal for 36 years.

"Two years ago, we reached out to Julie with an idea to bring her back to Australia to work with Restless to explore an iteration of Kontakthof, Pina’s iconic work, featuring a cast of artists with disabilities," Hervey says. "As part of this we were keen to involve the extraordinary artists from Back to Back Theatre, creating a unique opportunity for our organisations to collaborate."

The Pina Bausch Foundation, established in 2009, preserves and promotes the legacy of the renowned choreographer Pina Bausch by managing her artistic work, supporting contemporary dance projects, and fostering international cultural exchange.  Restless Dance Theatre is celebrated for its inclusive practices and powerful storytelling, while Back to Back Theatre is directed by Bruce Gladwin and is renowned for its thought-provoking and socially relevant performances. "Together, with Julie Shanahan's guidance, we are exploring excerpts of Kontakthof with the hope of moving forward and creating a new iteration of the original work that challenges norms," Hervey continues.

Restless’ Artistic Director Michelle Ryan adds that the whole experience will be "transformative for our dancers".

For more information, go here.