Kicking off this October, Sydney Dance Company presents Continuum, a triple bill that unites two of Australia's most renowned figures in dance alongside an exciting new voice in contemporary choreography.
Continuum explores the spectrum of human experience - from the ephemeral beauty of twilight to the elemental force of breath. A celebration of transformation that unfolds with movement and sound, articulating the transcendent forces of nature.
In a meaningful and highly anticipated return to Sydney Dance Company, Stephen Page AO, descendant of the Nunukul people and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh Nation, premieres Unungkati Yantatja (one with the other), created in collaboration with acclaimed composer and leading Yidaki player William Barton.
The partnership brings together two groundbreaking First Nations artists to share a story rooted in Barton's dedication to his father. Page's choreography embodies Barton's composition, calling out to land, sea, sky and creature, weaving a profound connection to the spirit of creation breath. Barton will be joined live on stage by the award-winning Omega Ensemble, who commissioned the powerful score.
Blown gently across the stage, Unungkati Yantatja is a tribute to the force of earthly breaths, intrinsically connecting audiences to Country, each other, and the continual rhythm of life.
Sydney Dance Company artistic director and celebrated choreographer Rafael Bonachela presents Spell, a bold world premiere in part developed during the Company's residency at Italy's prestigious Orsolina28 Art Foundation this year.
Bonachela's signature style reaches new heights of precision and passion with five distinctive worlds, each a vivid "spell" that together create dance alchemy. Set to an evocative score featuring Ólafur Arnalds, Bryce Dessner, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and Alice Smith, Spell is an exhilarating fusion of movement, light and sound, inviting audiences to experience dance as a potent and primal force.
The triple bill also features a reimagined work by rising choreographer Tra Mi Dinh, Somewhere between ten and fourteen, an investigation of the delicate space between day and night. The work's hypnotic rhythm captures the transience of life's continual fluctuations and the beauty found in change.
"It is a privilege to share the stage with Stephen Page, whose extraordinary work has shaped Australian dance for decades, and to welcome back Tra Mi Dinh, whose bold voice presents an exciting new perspective. Continuum is about connection - across generations, creative expression, and lived experience - and I can't wait for audiences to experience the beauty and power of these three works together," said Bonachela.
Page said he is looking forward to returning to Sydney Dance Company this October, where his career began.
"Returning to Sydney Dance Company is deeply personal, it's where my career began and walking back into the studio feels like coming full circle. I love telling stories and creating, especially in the world of dance and caring for William's story is a gift," he said.
"I don't think there is a contemporary clan in the world as strong as Sydney Dance Company and to work with these dancers as they embody this story with William weaving his energy through the whole experience, carrying it forward to be felt by audiences is going to be really special".
Choreographer Tra Mi Dinh said he is also looking forward to returning to Sydney Dance Company
"I'm thrilled to be returning to Sydney Dance Company to expand my 2023 New Breed work Somewhere between ten and fourteen.The invitation to dive back into this world and reimagine it for a larger cast of dancers is a rare gift; one that affords me the opportunity to enrich and develop its choreographic language," he said.
"I'm stoked to be presenting my work in this season alongside two heavyweight Australian choreographers."
Sydney Dance Company is Australia's leading contemporary dance company, presenting new works in Sydney, around Australia and internationally, under artistic direction of Rafael Bonachela. Resident in purpose-built studios on Gadigal Land at Wharf 4/5 in Sydney's Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.
Continuum will run from the 22nd of October until the 1st of November 2025.
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