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Illume

4 – 14 June 2025

In the Joan Sutherland Theatre

Bangarra Dance Theatre

Dance

From the extraordinary Bangarra Dance Theatre comes an iridescent new theatrical experience.

Illume explores the awe of light

Step out of the shadows and into the phenomena of light – the central life force of our planet. From the extraordinary Bangarra Dance Theatre comes an iridescent new theatrical experience, drawing together music, visual arts and dance to explore the ways light has captivated and sustained Indigenous cultural existence for millennia.  

Today, artificial light pollution disrupts ecosystems and obscures the dark night sky, devastating First Nations people’s connections to sky country and limiting their ability to share celestial knowledge and skylore. First Nations people stand on the precipice of the world under threat.   

Mirning Choreographer Frances Rings and Goolarrgon Bard Visual Artist Darrell Sibosado’s collaboration explores the awe of light, a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. It charts the impacts of light pollution in a climate emergency. Illume asks the urgent question: is the deep wisdom passed down from elders enough to illuminate a path forward from the shadows of a dark future?   

Journey with us through a kaleidoscope of images, patterns and synergies into the otherworldly language of light.  

Presented by Bangarra Dance Theatre

Bangarra Dance Theatre is a modern dance company unlike any other… remarkably imaginative and richly varied.

New York Times

Artist information

Choreographers 
Frances Rings and artists of Bangarra Dance Theatre

Artistic & Cultural Collaborator 
Darrell Sibosado 

Set Design 
Charles Davis 

Costume Design 
Elizabeth Gadsby 

Lighting Design 
Damien Cooper 

Composer 
Brendon Boney 

Cultural Consultant 
Trevor Sampi 

Plan your visit

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