Wudjang: Not the Past

Wudjang: Not the Past description

As he approaches Elder status, Stephen Page continues to expand Bangarra’s horizons and push into ever richer and more complex territory.

Even more ambitious than his recent Bennelong, this epic, contemporary corroboree for 17 dancers, five actors and four onstage musicians is deeply rooted in his own Yugambeh country, with its branches spreading widely across our continent’s past and troubled present.

Wudjang is an ancestor whose bones are unearthed during construction for a new dam. She longs to be reburied in the proper way, but needs to lead a Yugambeh workman and his young niece on a spiritual quest to a place of hidden significance and power: to teach a new generation how to listen, learn and carry their ancestral energy into the future.

With deep emotion as well as humour, Stephen and his ensemble create a work of grace, healing and authentic power. Told in Mibinyah poetry and song, English text (in collaboration with award-winning playwright Alana Valentine) and Page’s inimitable fusion of contemporary and traditional choreography, this reunion of a team of Bangarra stalwarts (composition by Steve Francis, set by Jacob Nash, costumes by Jennifer Irwin and lighting by Nick Schlieper) with an extraordinary clan of dancers promises to be a benchmark Australian production.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc, commissioned by Sydney Festival, Perth Festival and Adelaide Festival, and co-produced by Bangarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company.

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Credits

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Creative Team

Director Stephen Page
Choreography Stephen Page, Bangarra Dancers
Writers Stephen Page, Alana Valentine
Composer Steve Francis
Set Designer Jacob Nash
Costume Designer Jennifer Irwin
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper
Dramaturg Alana Valentine
Language Consultant Donna Page
Music Director Alan John
Assistant Director Kate Dunn
Rehearsal Director Daniel Roberts
Associate Music Director Véronique Serret

Actors Elaine Crombie, Jess Hitchcock, Elma Kris, Kirk Page, Justin Smith

Musicians Brendon Boney, Amaru Derwent, Tessa Nuku, Véronique Serret

Bangarra Dancers Beau Dean Riley Smith, Rikki Mason, Rika Hamaguchi, Glory Tuohy-Daniell, Baden Hitchcock, Ryan Pearson, Lillian Banks, Bradley Smith, Courtney Radford, Kallum Goolagong, Gusta Mara, Kiarn Doyle, Emily Flannery, Maddison Paluch, Daniel Mateo, Janaya Lamb, Jesse Murray

Key Characters

Wudjang Elma Kris
Gurai Lillian Banks
Bilin Kirk Page
Maren/Yugambeh Shearer Elaine Crombie
Duggai/Wheeler Justin Smith
Nanahng Jess Hitchcock
Mibunn/Musician Brendon Boney
Yarga/Musician Tessa Nuku
Musician/Associate Musical Director Véronique Serret
Musician Amaru Derwent
Black Sheep/Gujarong Beau Dean Riley Smith
Yilgahn Glory Tuohy-Daniell
Jahdjam (Child) Baden Hitchcock

Production Crew

Production Manager Cat Studley
Stage Manager Stephanie Storr
Head Electrician Marshall Bull
Head of Wardrobe Jessica Hodgkinson
Front of House Sound Operator David Trumpmanis
Foldback / Radio Microphone Technician Corey Wiles
Rigger and Head Mechanist Katie McDonagh
Assistant Stage Managers Rose Jenkins, Vanessa Martin

Image Daniel Boud

 

Partners

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