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The Art House Presents
Marrow
An Australian Dance Theatre Production
Part way between rave and ritual, Marrow sees Australian Dance Theatre tear up the falsehoods of the past in a clear-eyed exploration of the smoky forms of Australian identity.
Set on a shared ground where politics and identity are not our totality, Marrow sees Australian Dance Theatre’s incredible ensemble tangle with layers of smoke and light to disassemble our dominant cultural narratives and reveal the truth of our past. Smoke is used as a seventh dancer in the piece, with the ensemble curling and bending it to their will through the use of handheld smoke machines.
Created by Daniel Riley in collaboration with ADT’s Company Artists, senior Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner AM, composer James Howard (SAVAGE), Matthew Adey (THE HUM) and Ailsa Patterson (Tracker), in the wake of the failed Voice Referendum - Marrow is an explosive dance work, where ancient stories collide with the push of the present, imagining a new shared future for all of us.
Bracingly honest, Marrow is a clear-eyed and powerful work that sifts through the smoky forms of our national conscience to imagine a new future that acknowledges the push of our present moment.
“There is much to unpack in Marrow, but this is definitely Riley’s finest production since his appointment as Artistic Director, many creative elements coalescing to produce a riveting and memorable addition to ADT’s repertory.”
- Dance Australia
Cast & Creatives
CAST & CREATIVES
Concept and Direction: Daniel Riley
Choreography: Daniel Riley with Australian Dance Theatre's Company Artists
Project Elder: Major 'Moogy' Sumner AM
Design & Lighting: Matthew Adey
Costume Design: Ailsa Paterson
Sound Design: James Howard
Dancers: TBC
About Australian Dance Theatre (ADT)
Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) is Australia’s oldest continuing contemporary dance company. Founded on Kaurna Yerta (Adelaide) in 1965 by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM, ADT was established with the aspiration of ‘expanding the boundaries of dance’, a principle that still holds true today.
ADT is led by Wiradjuri man, Daniel Riley, who was appointed as Artistic Director in 2022. Since stepping into the role, he has created major works including SAVAGE, THE HUM, Tracker and Marrow.
Reviews
“The performance was unrelentingly and unapologetically political… I simply do not have the words to convey the intense power and integrity of this performance to a reader and must, therefore, urge you to see it for yourself.”
- Broadway World
"Marrow speaks to the core and comes from the soul... The use of handheld smoke machines is genius. It allows the cast to control the way the smoke dances and rises across the stage, almost as if another dancer becomes present." ★★★★
- Glam Adelaide
“A really skilful work that takes us back to the Dreamtime itself – to the core, the marrow, of the world’s oldest civilisation.” ★★★★
- The Advertiser
