Horizon: the point at which the earth’s surface appears to meet the sky.
In her second year as Artistic Director, Frances Rings is committed to elevating and making space for new voices. Her first commission for the company, Horizon represents “a fresh and dynamic new chapter in Bangarra Dance Theatre’s artistic and cultural songline”, marking the first time the company has collaborated with an Indigenous Māori choreographer (Moss Te Ururangi Patterson).
Horizon is a double bill composed of Kulka, choreographed by Sani Townson, and The Light Inside: a diptych performed sequentially, the Gur/Adabad/Salt Water component is choreographed by Deborah Brown with Patterson (Director of Auckland’s New Zealand Dance Company) choreographing the Wai Māori/Fresh Water section.
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Thematically, each of this program’s three creators explored what home means to them and how they hold it within their identities.
Townson’s 20-minute opening piece Kulka, which premiered in 2023, draws on the customs, culture and identity of Saibai Island’s people, the Saybaylayg, and their totemic clan relationships in particular. Pacy, precise movements accompanied by almost-banging beats (composed by Steve Francis) is a thrilling combination and we’re hypnotised by the action unfolding onstage.
As Bangarra’s Youth Program Coordinator, Townson is obviously doing a tremendous job since nine of the company’s current dancers were nurtured through these programs.
A mirror covers the stage’s entire back wall, tilted forward slightly at the top to give audience members alternate angles from which to view Kulka’s dancers. AV designer David Bergman’s masterful projections, which complement the choreography and formations, are also reflected in the set. Projections of colourful dust blowing across the stage reflect and stalking Koedalaw Awgadh (Crocodile God) visuals shadow the dancers, who extend from this reptile’s silhouette, bringing it to life.
The dancers’ floor pathways often leave trails like constellation lines throughout. As Townson’s piece concludes, the stage is suddenly awash with constellations, representing his family clan’s belief that we come from – and are guided by – the stars.
Elizabeth Gadsby’s extraordinary The Light Inside set design, for which she created both a Salt Water and Fresh Water world, oozes gradually up the cyclorama like super-slo-mo aerial footage of lava flow. Karen Norris’ lighting design draws from nature, sunbeams piercing the stage space – smokey and muted, like they’re dancing on the ocean floor.
Brown’s Salt Water section draws from the sea and reef – an underwater constellation. Her ancestors, seafaring peoples of the Torres Strait Islands, consulted celestial navigation systems while at sea. Scintillating stars, caused by humidity, also herald seasonal change, twinkling faster and turning blue to issue storm warnings.
The Blue Star solo, performed to nuanced perfection by Lillian Banks, is a highlight. Daniel Mateo is a joy to watch throughout and we eagerly anticipate his scenes, including the graceful Cylinder solo that opens Act 2 – such long, clean lines!
In Patterson’s piece, Bangarra’s dancers perform a contemporary version of the Haka – vocalisations included. It’s powerful and the dancers clearly feel empowered while nailing new additions to their movement vocabularies. Sacred strands of hair are woven and plaited skyward, which creates an underwater effect. To close, the dancers appear to submerge underwater in unison.
Complex lifts are executed effortlessly and the economical movement of Bangarra’s dancers always infuses the choreography with the respect and meaning it demands and deserves. Bangarra dancers have the added responsibility of sharing each choreographer’s cultural wisdom while translating stories through their bodies with the utmost care – like conduits.
Horizon glistens with beauty and hope.
Patterson put it beautifully during his post-show speech: “As Indigenous brothers and sisters globally, we’re all connected and we hear each other and see each other.”
Horizon runs at the Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne until 7 September.
