Skip to main content

Review: Waru: Journey of the Small Turtle - QPAC & Bangarra Dance Theatre

Written by Jake Goodall

Join Bangarra Dance Theatre as we embark on a mesmerizing journey that showcases the importance of our environment and the urgent need to preserve it. Waru - Journey of the Small Turtle, is a captivating production that delights children and adults alike, set in the vibrant heart of Brisbane City.

Under the star-illuminated skies of the Torres Strait, a green turtle named Migi returns to the beach where she was born. The nesting season has begun, and the island eagerly anticipates the arrival of a new generation of hatchlings. This touching tale, directed by the visionary Stephen Page, seamlessly weaves together themes of nature, heritage, and the profound impact of environmental conservation.

Page’s direction brings out the best in the performers, creating a story that is both engaging and evocative. The show not only entertains but also educates, instilling a sense of responsibility and appreciation for the environment in the younger generation. By immersing children in the magic of theatre, Waru nurtures their growth and inspires them to leave the world better than they found it.

The stunning set and costume design by Jacob Nash transport the audience to a small bedroom shack at the heart of the island. Nash's creations are so intricately woven into the performance that the set itself becomes a character in the story, enhancing the narrative and drawing the audience deeper into Migi's world. Matt Cox’s emotive lighting design plays a crucial role, guiding the audience’s focus and heightening the emotional impact of each scene. The lighting not only highlights specific areas of the stage but also helps children in the audience follow the story more easily.

Elma Kris shines as the storyteller, Aka Malu. Her engaging presence captivates the young audience, ensuring they are fully immersed in Migi’s journey. Kris's exceptional comedic timing and physicality add depth and charm to the performance, making the story accessible and enjoyable for all ages.

Aba Bero’s portrayal of various animals throughout the show is equally impressive. Bero's realistic and nuanced movements, developed in collaboration with Page, bring the animals to life, adding an extra layer of authenticity and magic to the performance.

Despite being a relatively short piece of children's theatre, Waru - Journey of the Small Turtle leaves a lasting impression on its audience. Waru is not just a show; it’s an invitation to reflect on our relationship with nature and a call to action to protect our precious environment. Join us and be part of this incredible journey.This enchanting production, performed at QPAC until June 29, 2024, is now on a national tour across Australia. To learn more and find out where you can experience this beautiful story, visit Bangarra’s website.

Photos by Daniel Boud

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: The Haunting - Tugun Theatre Company

Written by Jake Goodall There is nothing better than heading to the theatre on a cold & rainy night to watch a gothic play about a haunting, and Tugun Theatre's recent production of The Haunting proved there is still a space for horror ghost plays in the world.  Based on the Charles Dickens Novel (and adapted by Hugh Janes), the story follows a young book dealer, David Filde, when he is employed by a former associate of his uncle to catalog a private library, he finds an incredible array of rare and antiquated books. But as a series of strange and unexplained events conspire to keep Filde from his work, he realises that if he is to convince his skeptical employer that the mysterious phenomena he is experiencing are real, they must journey together to the very edge of terror, and beyond. This reviewer was lucky to see the West End hit production The Women in Black recently at the Playhouse, QPAC which set the bar for horror ghost stories, and with the resources available to them...

Review: Medea - Queensland Theatre

Written by Grace Wilson From little things, big things grow. It’s a saying that is so Australian and so rooted in our culture. It inspires and it gives hope. Everyone knows of this saying and the song attached to it, but never have we experienced a situation where this saying comes to mind. That is until  Queensland Theatre’s production of Medea by Anne-Louise Sarks and Kate Mulvaney, directed by Daniel Evans. This adaptation of this famous Greek tragedy focuses on the perspective of the two sons of Jason and Medea. In the original myth, we see little to no actual story from these two young boys - so to see an adaptation from a frankly inaccessible storyline in the traditional drama was a bold and incredibly smart choice. To truly appreciate the way the playwrights took this traditional myth and flipped it on its head, a knowledge of the actual myth was required because the subtleties of references could easily be missed. The play ranged from blatant acknowledgments of the traditio...

Review: Freshblood Festival - Vena Cava

Written By Thor Morrison Upcoming creatives need a place to experiment, to prosper, to explore, and even to sometimes miss the mark. It is essential that spaces that allow this to happen exist, especially in a world obsessed with perfectionism. The Freshblood Festival is an annual event run by QUT Student Theatre Company Vena Cava, focused on young writers and performers, and it does just that. It provides a space for the new and upcoming creatives of Brisbane and surrounds to experiment, have fun, and create really exciting performances. Held at BackDock Arts in Fortitude Valley, and running over two consecutive weekends, it is a massive endeavour Vena Cava have given themselves. 14 independent shows, two play readings, and 8 music acts ensure that Freshblood has something for everyone to enjoy, and shows the variety and scale of the Festival itself. Drama Dispatch was able to attend most of the second weekend, seeing a total of seven shows and a play reading, and was greatly impresse...