Australian Dance Theatre's new production 'Marrow' is set take to the stage at The Art House next month.
The exciting new offering from Australia's longest running contemporary dance company, described as part rave, part ritual, debuted May 29 and will be on tour until August 23, with performances in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory.
Created by Daniel Riley in the wake of the failed Voice Referendum, in collaboration with ADT's company artists, senior Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner AM, composer James Howard (SAVAGE), Matthew Adey (THE HUM) and Ailsa Patterson (Tracker); Marrow is an explosive dance work that weaves movement, light and sound into a writhing feast of smoke and mirrors.
Often viewed as a precursor to danger, Marrow draws on smokes other connotations – spirituality, prophecy, and cleansing – to boldly explore Australia's political consciousness and to imagine a kinder, more collaborative shared future for all Australians.
This motif is achieved through the use of handheld smoke machines that create plumes of smoke that lend themselves to the narratives at play.
Carried throughout the performance by the dancers, these plumes ebb and flow, acting as barriers that must be broken down to clear the air and cut to the bone of Australian identity politics and the role First Nations People must play in forging a more united nation.
"There is much to unpack in Marrow, but this is definitely Riley's finest production since his appointment as Artistic Director, many creative elements coalescing to produce a riveting and memorable addition to ADT's repertory," Dance Australia said in a statement.
A smoking gun of powerful First Nations ingenuity and artistic expression, Marrow is a choreographic course correction for a nation searching for new direction.
As part of its programming of Marrow, The Art House has also secured a winter school holiday dance workshop with ADT. Open to dancers aged between 12-16 of all experience levels, this engaging workshop will be delivered by ADT dancers and covers the movements, choreography and themes of Marrow.
Recognised as a testament to The Art House's commitment to providing opportunities and pathways towards professional and artistic development for young people on the Central Coast, this workshop is an excellent opportunity for aspiring dancers to learn from one of the most enduring dance companies in the country.
Marrow will also feature recent NAISDA graduate and Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay dancer, Joshua Doctor.
Based in Kariong, NAISDA is Australia's leading performing arts training organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Doctor's professional debut, his trajectory is further proof of both the emerging and established young talent on the Central Coast.
The ADT Marrow Dance Workshop will take place at 11AM on Wednesday July 16th. ADT will perform Marrow at 8PM on Thursday July 17th. Tickets for the workshop and performance are on-sale now.
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