Arts Centre Melbourne presents The New Zealand Dance Company’s ROTUNDA
Rotunda is a beautiful blend of dance and live brass music, timed to honour the 1915 Gallipoli landings. The iconic band rotunda, where troops were farewelled and welcomed home is the centrepiece of this heartfelt reflection on conflict, courage and the desire for peace. Rotunda celebrates the indomitable spirit of our ANZAC's and the women who set about running the country with aching hearts.
The New Zealand Dance Company, making their Australian debut, is joined by Melbourne’s own award-winning Darebin City Brass. In a bold move, the band takes centre stage with the dancers and the result is a powerful and uplifting performance. The score combines contemporary brass music by composer Don McGlashan (‘An Angel At My Table’) and traditional hymns such as Jerusalem and music by Brahms. The rich vein of brass music, along with a gorgeous transformative set and striking costuming, conjure an intense emotional landscape.
Renowned for its earthiness, physicality, rhythm and expression the unmistakably New Zealand choreography is a fusion of Maori tradition and dynamic contemporary dance theatre. The New Zealand Dance Company focuses on delivering the highest quality performing arts by integrating choreographic forms, storytelling, diverse musical styles and theatrical invention. Rotunda is the Company’s first full length work. Co-Founder and Artistic Director Shona McCullagh is one of New Zealand’s most outstanding cross-platform artists; an innovative choreographer for dance, theatre and film.
Melbourne’s Darebin City Brass is one of the best Grade A Brass Bands in Victoria and Australia. Founded in 1934 from Preston Citizens Band, the band developed quickly under conductor W.S. May to reach A grade status and has secured much success. In the 2014 National Band Championships Grade A Bands, Darebin City Brass won third place, as the highest representative of the Victorian delegation.
“Sophisticated, innovative, polished and professional, and with cutting edge creativity”
You can’t help but be mesmerised by the powerful and raw talent that is the New Zealand Dance Company…Gentle humour made it easy to lose yourself in the enjoyment of the show; but goosebumps and the welling of tears reminded me what was being portrayed.” Bay of Plenty Times
Feedback/Comments
loved it
it was quite compelling
music and movement matched the mood of the show
A beautiful performance by very talented people.
Thank you
Loved the Rotunda, beautiful and emotional perfomence
Beautiful movement!
good
Very interesting performance with a great backing band. Perfect winter's night out!
Tallented dancers, great band
Fabulous night! Creative and inspiring.
The band really was the star.
Powerful, talented performande
A moving performance, the call of mourning raised the hairs on the back of my neck as the boys returned home.
We thoroughly enjoyed this performance. The music was inspired and took us on the journey tothe front. I loved the opening, the piece of fabric floating in the air was beautiful and managed to take me away within my imagination. Certainly worthwhile viewing.
Wow! Very captivating! Te dancers were outstanding.
Mesmerising experience. Loved the coreography and performance of the dancers
A fabulous performance that included both great dancing and music seamlessly paired together. Such a shame it's only on for a few nights.
Great night - Love the dancers,drummer and the band.
A great evening. Talented show; great dancing, great music. A great respect between all performers. It was 'warry', without being 'warry'.
Outstanding event - talented performers and the live music added another dimension. An entertaining, inspiring and thought provoking presentation. Thank you!
Mum and I loved it! We sat so close to the stage - we could see all the nuances of their footwork. We feel privileged to have seen Rotunda. Thank you for an amazing opportunity.
Enjoyable event. Dancers were excellent.
This was a really special, emotional performance. I have previously never heard of this dance company nor the Darebin Brass - I am more informed and aware for more such shows to come... thank you
Amazing dancers
Wonderful! Such a pity it's only on for a few nights. Thoroughly entertaining, plenty of laughs but a lot of pathos. Loved the inclusion of the brass band. Highly recommended
This is a must see event that I will be recommending to everyone I know. Wonderful music and dance takes you through an emotional journey of love, trauma, loss, courage and finding new aspects of oneself, before reuniting. A great combination of Western and Maori culture intertwined with music from the rousing to the stirring.
A very enjoyable and moving performance with a refreshingly talented dance company.
Rotunda was a truly beautiful performance. The 8 dancers were excellent and made the dances flow seamlessly with strength, love, pathos, humour and joy. I particularly loved the boys 'sceptor' dance which was fun and energetic. The whole program took you through different scenarios of war and the Darebin Brass band was an unexpected but wholly appropriate part of this program. Well done!
Rotunda was a feast to the eyes. It was a thoroughly entertaining program. Their movement was so fluid and energetic. Thoroughly enjoyed it.