Bangarra Dance Theatre gets green light for Brisbane season after two weeks quarantine

You thought only footy teams got special treatment? Think again. The State Government has bent over backwards for the footy codes and now they are doing the same for Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Bangarra Dance Theatre performance of Bennelong at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre. From the documentary Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra. Picture credit: Daniel Boud

It’s one of the shows of the year and we thought Bangarra Dance Theatre wouldn’t get here this year since they are based in Sydney.

But in a massive coup for the arts in Queensland, Bangarra Dance Theatre’s eagerly-awaited season of SandSong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desertwill go ahead as planned in Brisbane, thanks to additional support from the QPAC, the Palaszczuk Government and the Feds. You thought only footy teams got special treatment? Think again.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said Bangarra Dance Theatre’s season has been secured with the support of the Palaszczuk Government as part of the state’s Covid-19 economic recovery plan to rebuild the arts sector.

“Once again, Queensland is the winner,” Minister Enoch said.

Bangarra Dance Theatre artistic directors Stephen Page and Frances Rings. Picture: Jamie James

In addition to a 2021 Brisbane season, there is an exciting commitment to community engagements in Cairns in 2022.

“Our Government quickly responded to the needs of the Arts sector during Covid-19, and securing this season is only possible thanks to Queensland’s positive health response. Necessary Covid measures had cast a shadow on the Brisbane season of SandSong, however the investment and support from the Palaszczuk Government, QPAC and additional assistance from the Federal Government through the Australia Council, will ensure audiences can still experience the gift of Bangarra Dance Theatre’s story telling. “

Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Brisbane season was cancelled last year due to Covid-19, so it’s great news that Bangarra Dance Theatre can perform in Brisbane.

Minister Enoch said Bangarra Dance Theatre was Australia’s leading contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company, with deep and enduring connections to Queensland including annual seasons at QPAC.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch has moved heaven and earth to help get Bangarra Dance Theatre here

“Bangarra Dance Theatre and QPAC have forged a close relationship as presenting partners for 23 years and I am delighted to support an even greater engagement in Queensland for Bangarra Dance Theatre, both onstage and off,” Minister Enoch said.

“The arts are key to delivering our Government’s plan for economic recovery from Covid-19, each year contributing $8.5 billion into the state’s economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders.” Ms Enoch said.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the organisation was grateful for the Queensland Government and Australia Council’s support, to ensure Bangarra Dance Theatre’s sold-out 2021 season would continue.
“We were devastated we had to postpone SandSong last year, and I want to publicly thank the Queensland Government and Federal Government for recognising both the importance of Bangarra Dance Theatre as an Australian voice, and this work as a profound tribute to Ningali Lawford-Wolf and her Country,” Mr Kotzas said.

Bangarra Dance Theatre’s dancers Rika Hamaguchi and Bradley Smith perform part of the performance Spirit: A Retrospective 2021 at the Sydney Festival. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“SandSong was critically acclaimed at its world premiere in Sydney, and I am elated Queensland audiences will still be able to experience the majesty of Bangarra Dance Theatre in a couple of weeks.”

Adrian Collette AM, CEO of the Australia Council said he was “delighted that along with our Queensland Government partners we can support Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Queensland season so they can share the stories, culture and perspectives of our First Nations people, on stage as well as through their engagement with schools and local communities.”

Bangarra Dance Theatre Executive Director Lissa Twomey said the company “left no stone unturned in finding a way to keep the ‘show on the road’ while complying with Covid restrictions.”

SandSong is a journey into ancient stories of the Kimberley region framed against the backdrop of ever-changing government policy and of the survival of people determined to hold strong to their Culture.

SandSong was created by Bangarra Dance Theatre in consultation with Wangkatjunga/Walmajarri Elders from the Kimberley and Great Sandy Desert regions. It is choreographed by Artistic Director Stephen Page and Associate Artistic Director Frances Rings and draws on the stories, knowledge and memories of the past to create a new narrative for our Indigenous futures.

Bangarra Dance Theatre Artistic Director, Stephen Page, was born in Brisbane and is a descendant of the Nunukul people and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh Nation from south east Queensland.

Due to the timing of travel and 14-day quarantine requirements for the Bangarra Dance Theatre company, the Brisbane season will be shorter than originally planned. As the season is already sold out, all ticketholders for the original first three performances (13 and 14 August) will be fully refunded. Ticketholders will be contacted directly by QPAC.

SandSong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert will be presented at QPAC’s Playhouse from 16 to 21 August 2021.