Patyegarang (Jasmin Sheppard), photograph by Greg Barrett, courtesy Bangarra
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2014, Bangarra – Australia’s multi award winning dance theatre company – tells the story of Patyegarang, the inspirational journey of a potent Indigenous spirit alive in Australia’s past and present.
As the colonial fleet arrived in the late 18th Century, Patyegarang befriended the colony’s timekeeper, Lieutenant William Dawes, gifting him her language in an extraordinary display of trust and friendship, which now inspires our imaginations about ‘first contact’.
In Dawes’ notebooks, rediscovered in 1972, are transcripts of this remarkable cultural exchange. Patyegarang’s words are a window into a rich, complex and utterly different perspective on her world, its values and its sacred meanings.
Bangarra liberates Patyegarang from the library shelves, putting spirit into her heart, as a striking visionary and educator.
This deeply moving production is told through the acclaimed creativity of Stephen Page’s choreography and David Page’s soundscape, in a powerful and meaningful dance theatre experience.
Find out more on the Bangarra website.
NATIONAL TOUR 2014
Sydney Opera House From 13 June 2014
Canberra Theatre Centre 17 – 19 July 2014
State Theatre Centre WA, Perth 30 July – 2 August 2014
QPAC, Brisbane 15 – 23 August 2014
Arts Centre Melbourne 28 August – 6 September 2014
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