Sydney Theatre Company Presents BLOODLAND October 3-November 13

Sydney Theatre Company and Allens Arthur Robinson in association with Bangarra Dance Theatre present Bloodland

Concept by Stephen Page
Story by Kathy Balngayngu Marika, Stephen Page and Wayne Blair
Written by Wayne Blair

3 October - 13 November 2011. Opening Night: Friday 7 October at 8.00pm
Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, The Wharf, Pier 4 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay

Bloodland has been created especially for Sydney Theatre Company by director and choreographer Stephen Page and writer, director and actor Wayne Blair in collaboration with Bangarra artist-in-residence and cultural consultant, Kathy Balngayngu Marika. Performances are at STC's Wharf 1 from 3 October to 13 November 2011.

The work vividly dramatises a bitter tug-of-war taking place in a community which, despite being wracked by pain and division, divided by moiety, nevertheless hums with hope.

From three photographs that formed the seed of an idea, Stephen and Wayne have been developing this original work for over a year, collaborating with local storytellers in Arnhem Land. A groundbreaking piece of theatre, Bloodland examines the classic theme of forbidden love, while also exploring issues of black-on-black conflict, and the challenges of observing traditional lore in a community permeated by Western culture.

Featuring an Indigenous cast of twelve including established urban actors as well as traditional Yolngu storytellers, the production fuses traditional languages and Pidgin English as well as dance and song to tell the story.

"The language of this production is not restricted to the verbal," Stephen Page says. "Bloodland will incorporate spiritual and physical languages, ceremonial traditional dances and mimicry of modern western culture, filtered through aboriginal tradition."

Director: Stephen Page. Set Designer: Peter England. Costume Designer: Jennifer Irwin. Lighting Designer: Damien Cooper. Composer/Sound Designer: Steve Francis

Cast: Kathy Balngayngu Marika, Elaine Crombie, Rarriwuy Hicks, Rhimi Johnson Page, Nolene Marika, Djakapurra Munyarryun, David Page, Hunter Page Lochard, Kelton Pell, Tessa Rose, Meyne Wyatt, Ursula Yovich.

STC Box Office (02) 9250 1777 sydneytheatre.com.au/bloodland
Tickets $30 - $77 (transaction fees may apply)

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