Dance and movement, one of the original and strongest story telling modalities throughout history finds its origin seeded in the people and blooming through the production of the Bangarra Dance Theatre in the breathtaking three part performance; Keeping Grounded, Brown Boys and Sheoak – SHELTERING.
The excitement ripples through the audience as the first night of the two week Gadigal Country, Sydney performance is introduced by Artistic Director & Co-Ceo Frances Rings and Director of Community relations, Kirk Page.
“Artists are Truth Tellers” – Frances Rings
The lights dim as music by Brendon Boney floats on the silence of the audiences anticipation. Keeping grounded, choreographed by Indjalandji-Dhidhanu and Alyewarre woman Glory Tuohy-Daniell, emerges on stage exploring and interpreting the experience of grounding in the land, the environment and the self. Witnessing outstanding choreographic techniques from the cast as the dancers connect with each other and the suspended net above them.
Gazing from the seats, the embodied floating net almost appears to be a futuristic fibres matrix of life as it forms a barrier between the ground and dancers. A mesmerising opening to the evening ahead.
As a screen drops front of stage, the cinematic film production starts, Brown Boys, a solo performance by choreographer and director Daniel Mateo and director Cass Mortimer. Exhibiting strong emotion, this inspiring film highlights the cultural and social assumptions made of “Brown Boys” and the importance of connection to their community to guide them back home to themselves. A poetically impactful motion confronting the experiences that shape identity.
Journeying into the third performance of the night, Sheoak, choreographed by Mirning woman Frances Rings, visualised is a powerful display of indigenous storytelling and the endurance of the First Nations people along with their ties to the country. Place, body and spirit. The props and dance sections of Sheoak embed the ancestral knowledge, symbolically expressing the deep emotion felt within each story. Strong feminine and masculine themes explained the raw reality and energy required to adapt to life at this time. The strength in this choreography allows the audience to imaginatively participate.
A special mention made to songman and composer Nunukul Munaldjali man Roy David ‘Dubboo’ Page (dec. 1961-2016) for the music he composed that has passed through to the present moment supporting the important cultural messaging in Sheoak.
The intuitive connection between dancers is evident on stage and across the land. A wonderful and insightful end to the evening from the cast as they introduce themselves and where they are from. From West to East, North to South, the cast members of Bangarra Dance Theatre have dedicated tens of years between them and truly highlighted the wide talent that exists across the country.
Sensational and talented cast members you will be delighted to see: Courtney Radford, Kallum Goolagong, Kassidy Waters, Jye Uren, Maddison Paluch, Daniel Mateo, Emily Flannery, James Boyd, Chantelle Lee Lockhart, Amberlilly Gordon, Donta Whitham, Edan Porter, Zeak Tass, Tamara Bouman, Roxie Syron, Eli Clarke & Maddison Fraser.
Contemporary Indigenous Expression is a language anyone can interpret and I would expressively invite you to experience the SHELTERING stories for yourself.
SHELTERING, performing on Gadigal Country at the Sydney Opera House from Wednesday 3rd June to Saturday 13th June 2026 as part of their national tour.
Production photography by Daniel Boud
