BWW Reviews: BLAK

From the opening moments of Bangarra dance theatre's Blak it was obvious there was something magical occurring before us. The tribalistic, animalistic choreography was mesmerising, its technical execution flawless. While individually there were varying levels of technical proficiency as a collective the opening third of the evenings performance 'Scar' choreographed and directed by Daniel Riley Mckinley, featuring the men of the company explored the fight andsearch for self-identity.

Its masculinity through movement captured each moment with authenticity. 'Yearning', choreographed and directed by Stephen Paige featured the ladies of the company in some breathtaking dancing. It was an explosion of movement, captivatingly raw and poignant in its message through the manipulation of the human body. The final instalment of the 75 minute piece 'Keepers' commenced in front of Jacob Nash's impressive set design and was subtlety matched by Matt Cox's lighting design. 'Keepers' was a homage to the legacy of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders. The full ensemble danced meticulously and harmoniously in what was a celebration of life and culture having fought through the struggle of what life can throw at us. This is contemporary dance at its finest in what should be seen by as many teenagers and adults alike, not only for a lesson in dance but a lesson in culture and original Australian heritage.