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

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Article: 37 // Queensland Theatre

Queensland Theatre's newest productions is stunning audiences with its powerhouse story full of all things footy, bringing community spirit, thrilling energy and intense physicality to the stage in 37, playing at the Bille Brown Theatre until 4 May. Penned by twice-named Tasmanian Aboriginal Artist of the Year, Nathan Maynard, and directed by renowned Australian director and proud Noongar man, Isaac Drandic, the co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company brings together an ensemble of 10 men to portray a local footy team’s struggle from the bottom of the ladder. Named after the immortalised number Adam Goodes wore on his AFL jersey and set within the era of his famous war-cry, 37 follows the fictional Cutting Cove Currawongs in their fight for premiership glory, which playwright Nathan Maynard described as a story many can relate to. “I won’t go into the themes I touch on in the work because that’s why I wrote the play, for both the audience and I t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Scenes From a Yellow Perril - The Reaction Theory & Queensland Theatre Door 3

Written by Grace Wilson The best kind of theatre is theatre that makes people question, reflect and consider how uncomfortable questions encourage people to act and change. There are not many theatre pieces out there that can make an audience consider whether to laugh or cringe, smile or grimace. However, The Reaction Theory’s ‘Scenes From a Yellow Peril’, as a part of Queensland Theatre’s Door 3 program, masterfully manipulates the uncomfortable with the comedic, the angry with the heartfelt, and asks the audience if uncomfortable questions are worth the discoveries that come with them. ‘Scenes From A Yellow Peril’ by Chinese-New Zealand writer and poet, Nathan Joe, can truly be described as poetry on stage, a turbulent experience of communication and heightened emotions. The audience is exposed to complexities and challenges of BIPOC communities across the world in a way that does not fit the traditional theatre mould. There is no way to predict what Joe writes next; each scene chops...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: The Norman Mailer Anecdote - Queensland Theatre (Door 3)

Written by Grace Wilson The Norman Mailer Anecdote, produced by Big Scary Animal kicked off Queensland Theatre’s Door 3 program with hard-hitting questions, complex narratives, and well-rounded performances. The Door 3 program, new to Queensland Theatre in 2024, gives space for emerging artists to create and perform pitched work with support and space contributed by Queensland Theatre. For a premiere program of this size, it was a waiting game to see how high the bar would be set, and Big Scary Animal set the precedent for Door 3 works to come.  The Norman Mailer Anecdote by Anthony Mullins explores ideas of sexual assault and the relationships that come apart in times of crisis. The work itself was confronting - it tackled these ideas through a lens of upper middle-class Australia, specifically Brisbane, and used both the lens of legal terminology and creative writing to create a wide scope when approaching the program.  The cast itself was intimate and connected - standout p...
Post a Comment
Read more