Dance Theatre Analysis: Bangarra

Bangarra Dance Theatre is one of the youngest and most exciting dance companies in Australia. Bangarra grants audiences access to the Australian indigenous world and culture whilst creating an enriching and thought provoking experience through storytelling and theatrical presentation.

Their performances contribute to a better understanding and acceptance of aboriginal values. Bangarra was established by Carole Johnson in 1989, the company quickly grew and in 1991 Stephen Page was appointed as the Artistic Director. Bangarra has performed internationally including performances in Europe, Asia and USA.

Ocher’s which is a dance theatre work was first performed in Sydney in 1995, this production includes a prologue and four parts. The yellow

The broken leg technique leg bent, foot flexed) is seen a lot in the choreography of this sequence.

Ochres yellow dance sequence shows all 7 dancers staying very close to the ground, crawling and grabbing these movements effectively represent the role of the females in the culture which is predominantly as gatherers of food from the earth. Movements close to the ground are able to show their strong connection to the land and how they live off it. “The sun and seasons she nourishes gathering, nesting and birthing along her travels”.

There is also some flowing and soft movement in this section which represents flowing rivers “it’s the flowing rivers she cleanses in”. Other sharp movements and serious facial expressions symbolize the day to day struggles of being a female, looking for food from the earth, giving birth and raising children. Lying on each other represents sleeping and leaning on each other represents strength in unity and females helping each other within their culture. Animalistic movements represent the earth, Mother Nature and how animals were important to their

“Birthing along her travels.” The music enhances the audience’s ability to relate to the role of woman in the culture and their role to take on the responsibility of having children.

After birth scene, soft music comes on, one dancer presses up against other like a child and other woman (Mother) strokes her hair as if protecting and making her feel protected. Then looks around alert, getting up and leaning in front of “child” to show protection and love mothers have for their children.

Each of the four ochres in the dance performance signifies a different meaning within the production, but yellow is no doubt the color that pays homage specifically to the role and strength of woman within the culture. “I believe the landscape to be Mother. It’s flowing rivers she cleanses in, the yellow ochre she dresses in, the sun and the seasons she nourishes, gathering, nesting and birthing along her travels.”

Through the use of movement & non-movement components including aural, visual, the choreographic intent for the yellow sequence of the Orchres has been successfully and effectively achieved by Stephen Page.