SandSong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert
In the Drama Theatre | Dance
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“Bangarra is one of the true wonders of Australian culture”
★★★★
Time Out
Under the vast Kimberley sky, the red pindan dust stretches across the desert homelands of the Walmajarri, where the ancient knowledge of People and of Country is preserved through Songlines that have endured for hundreds of generations.
SandSong tells the unique story of this Place and the survival of its People.
Between the 1920s and 1960s, Aboriginal people were removed off their Country and forced into hard labour for no wages and only minimal rations.
Despite this displacement and cultural disruption, the people of the Western Desert have maintained unbroken connection to their Land, keeping stories and kinship strong.
This is the Country of Wangkatjungka woman Ningali Josie Lawford-Wolf (1967-2019), an important cultural consultant and artistic collaborator of Bangarra whose spirit, stories and artistic contributions have inspired a number of the company’s works, and enriched the broader arts landscape.
SandSong is created by Bangarra Dance Theatre in consultation with Wangkatjungka/Walmajarri Elders from the Kimberley and Great Sandy Desert regions.
This work honours the legacy of Ningali Josie Lawford-Wolf and her family - past, present and future.
Presented by Bangarra Dance Theatre
Artist Information
Creative Credits
Choreographers Stephen Page and Frances Rings
Composer Steve Francis
Set Designer Jacob Nash
Costume Designer Jennifer Irwin
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper
Lighting Realiser Chris Twyman
Cultural Consultants Putuparri Tom Lawford and Eva Nargoodah
Cultural Contributors Wangkatjungka and Walmajarri Elders

Bangarra Dance Theatre | SandSong | Teaser
In 2021, Bangarra Dance Theatre presents SandSong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert.Venue Information
Our venues are currently operating at reduced capacity (75%) and you may be seated next to other patrons.
Tickets will mostly be sold in multiples of two, however limited allocations of single tickets and odd numbered groupings of tickets will also be available. Tickets may also be sold in single seat patterns for certain events. At all times, we will do our best to support your needs, but please bear in mind that this will be subject to the restrictions in place at that time.
Please help us to maintain safety by wearing your mask at all times inside the venue, remaining in your allocated seat and facing the stage. Please be aware that guests seated in your row may need to walk past you to get to their seat.
Our foyers will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars, and should be consumed while seated in specific foyer spaces to maintain physical distancing. Drinks purchased at our theatre bars can also be taken into venues for most performances. Please note that unless advised otherwise, theatre bars will not be open during intervals. Drinking water is available at all times.
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