TERRAIN, by choreographer and Bangarra artist in residence Frances Rings, is a powerful fusion of contemporary dance and storytelling, commissioned by Bangarra’s Artistic Director, Stephen Page.

It is an outstanding and visually stunning dance work exploring the wonder and spiritual resonance of KATI THANDA (Lake Eyre), the place of Australia’s inland sea: one of the few untouched natural waterways in the world.

The dancers are sinuous, seamless and fluid as they explore the relationship of indigenous people to their landscape, how it becomes like their second skin.

The piece SHIELDS is compelling. The landscape of paper bark and white shields evolves to reveal black shields, symbolising the struggle for land rights and confirming how white Australia has a Black history.

Music composer David Page has come up with an eclectic arrangement of contemporary sounds that include cars zooming by. Could this be a reference to the Englishman, who in the 1960’s set a land speed record on Lake Eyre?!

Page’s music gently accompanies the spirit of foraging emu dancers and hunters.

In the piece SPINIFIX there are groups of frenetic silvery women and sinuous spirit dancers illuminated by spinifex. Cracked salt pans glide by dancers in colourful sarongs and sheaths that explore new awakenings.

TERRAIN poignantly tells us that we are all the custodians to preserve the future of KATI THANDA.

TERRAIN opened at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House on Wednesday 18th July and runs until Saturday August 18, 2012. Following its Sydney season TERAIN will continue on its national tour to play Wollongong, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane.

(c) David Kary

Tags: Sydney Dance Reviews- TERRAIN, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Drama Theatre Sydney Opera House, Frances Rings, Stephen Page, David Page, Greg Barrett, Sydney Arts Guide, David Kary