Following its acclaimed season last year, Bangarra Dance Theatre returns to Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) Playhouse from 24 August to 1 September with its major new dance work Dark Emu.

Directed by Artistic Director Stephen Page, who has choreographed the 70-minute work with long-time Bangarra dancers and collaborators Yolande Brown and Daniel Riley, Dark Emu is inspired by Bruce Pascoe’s award-winning book of the same name. Exploring the vital life force of flora and fauna with a focus on Yuin Nation stories, songs and language, this highly anticipated production is Page’s 25th work for Bangarra.

Through a series of interconnected dance stories set in four distinct worlds, Dark Emu conveys the devastating assault on land, people, spirit and knowledge experienced by First Nations Peoples. The stunning production highlights the reciprocal and interconnected relationship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with the environment, beautifully emulating agricultural practices from grain production, to a Bogong Moth harvest to weaving fish traps with stones.

Dark Emu will come to QPAC following standing ovations and five-star reviews at its world premiere season at Sydney Opera House.