World Premiere Tour
Marrugeku – Australia’s leading Indigenous and intercultural dance theatre company returns to PICA with the world premiere of Burrbgaja Yalirra 2.
This powerful triple bill traces histories of migration, adaptation, and survival in two fiercely physical dance solos and an awe-inspiring duo, each exploring the presence of ancestors in contemporary life.
Nyuju embodies longing for Country in the central Kimberley, told through the lens of senior Wangkatjungka artist Nyuju Stumpy Brown’s paintings. Beautifully reflected in Sohan Ariel Hayes’ animations, the immersive solo piece is performed by her great-grandson, dancer and actor Emmanuel James Brown, and co-choreographed by Dalisa Pigram, with Associate Choreographer Zunnur (Zee) Zhafirah.
A lunar eclipse marks the mesmerising solo performance by artist Bhenji Ra in No New Gods. Co-created with choreographer Melanie Lane, Ra channels the colonial histories, epic narratives, and flora and fauna of the Philippine archipelago. Incorporating Filipino stick fighting and her own unique gestural hyper-expressivity, Ra’s narrative pulses with power, dominance, and resistance.
Dancers Ses Bero and Stan Nalo perform Bloodlines a breathtaking exchange of cultural and contemporary dance forms as they grapple with the brutal history of blackbirding. The duo counteract this violent period – during which South Sea Islanders were forcefully enslaved and transported to eastern Australia in the early 1800s – through their intercultural and intra-Melanesian exchange, facilitated by Ghenoa Gela and Miranda Wheen.
Burrbgaja Yalirra – Triple Bill 2 marks the second collaboration for PICA and Marrugeku, following the successful 2018 premiere of their Burrbgaja Yalirra 1 in Broome and Perth. The first iteration was commissioned by Carriageworks and PICA and toured regional and remote WA.
Duration: 80 minutes, no interval
Cultural and Content warnings: With family permission, this performance contains the voices of people who have passed away. This performance also contains strobe light, haze, fake blood and simulated violence.
Burrbgaja Yalirra 2 Dates
Wednesday 17 May | 7pm – Opening Night | Sold out
Thursday 18 May | 7pm | Sold out
Friday 19 May | 7pm | Sold out
Saturday 20 May | 2pm & 7pm | Sold out
Learning Resources
Hear from Marrugeku’s Co-Artistic Directors, Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain, about the unique multi-year development program for Burrbgaja Yalirra and how the performing arts can help build understanding between cultures.