Dancers explore deep link to country

Award-winning dancers will explore the connection between Aboriginal people and the land this month when dance company Bangarra stops in Geraldton on its regional tour.

After returning from their 24th international tour to New York and Paris, the Bangarra troupe will now bring the production Terrain to regional Australia.

The 16-member dance ensemble includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancers from across Australia, with two of Bangarra’s artists from WA.

Described as a hymn to country, Terrain tells the story of Lake Eyre, one of the few untouched natural waterways in the world, and explores the relationship of indigenous people to country and how the landscape becomes a second skin.

Bangarra artistic director Stephen Page said the regional tour was a crucial aspect of Bangarra’s evolution.

“Being able to transport our contemporary works back to their original roots is at the core of our creative process,” he said.

“Touring regionally is an invigorating time for us and we look forward to sharing this work with communities across WA. Terrain reveals the transformative power of the landscape.”

The production is the work of award-winning Aboriginal choreographer Frances Rings and includes senior dancer and Yawuru woman Tara Gower and a descendant of the Yawuru, Bunaba, Bardi and Jaru people, Rikka Hamaguchi.

After its world premiere in 2012, Terrain went on to win two Helpmann Awards for best ballet/dance work and best female dancer in a dance or physical theatre work for Deborah Brown. Bangarra’s 2016 regional tour is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts.

Geraldton event details: Dance Terrain, Queens Park Theatre, Wednesday, October 26, 7.30pm.