Mirramu
Dance Company in association with artists from Arnhem Land.
James O
Fairfax Theatre,
National Gallery of Australia.
1- 3 March
2013
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
How
appropriate that the opening night of the Enlighten Festival was chosen for the
world premiere of this extraordinary collaboration between traditional
indigenous dancers and four highly trained contemporary dancers of the Mirramu
Dance Company, to communicate a sacred song line of the Yolngu people through a
modern dance work.
Six dancers
lead by the indefatigable Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, together with two on-stage
musicians, weave authentic ancient traditional movement with sophisticated
abstract contemporary choreography to produce seventeen mesmerising interludes
depicting the circle of life from sunrise to sunset.
A simple
backcloth, sensitive lighting, attractive, often surprising costumes and an evocative
soundscape of rolling waves and distant voices combined with the haunting
sounds of a didgeridoo and sticks played live on stage, transport the audience into a world of spirits,
canoes, birds and animals through a series of group dances and solos, which include
a particularly memorable brolga, danced by Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal, and an
extraordinary bat danced by Albert David.
At times the
two styles of dance looked uncomfortable together, the meanings not always
obvious. However, at one point, each of the participants introduced themselves
in their native tongue. Although the audience did not understand what some said,
it knew what each was saying. The same could be said of the movement. An
engaging and potent form of enlightenment.
(An edited version of this review appears in CITY NEWS March 6 - 12th edition)
