Performances

CounterMove

October 22 - November 1
Continuum
Roslyn Packer Theatre, Walsh Bay
December 3 - December 13
New Breed
Carriageworks, Eveleigh

Repertoire Archive

2024

Love Lock
Choreography / Melanie Lane
Inspired by the power of love stories, Melanie Lane’s bold new work Love Lock deconstructs love songs to create a folk dance that celebrates the fantasies and realities of love.
Duration: 25 minutes
momenta – Contemporary Dance Work
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
A journey into the poetry and physicality of human bonds.
Duration: 75 minutes

2023

The Shell, A Ghost, The Host & The Lyrebird
Choreography / Marina Mascarell
This piece poses many questions: the body's meaning and its capacity to transform; the relationship with technology, and the connection with nature.
Duration: 26 minutes
I Am-Ness
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
I Am-ness calls for the convergence of the moving body and creative mind, charting a world in flux where simplicity dominates, and expectations are subverted.
Duration: 15 minutes
Somos
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Meaning “we are” in Spanish, Somos features a cascade of intimate solos, duets and trios with a distinct Spanish flavour.
Duration: 50 minutes

2022

Summer
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
An uplifting new work from Rafael Bonachela, capturing the lightness and positivity of new beginnings. With a score by Australian composer Kate Moore, recorded by the Australian String Quartet and striking costumes by the masters of colour Romance Was Born, Summer will have your spirits soaring.
Duration: 16 minutes
The Universe is Here
Choreography / Stephanie Lake
Fusing movement and music, The Universe is Here brings blistering light to the stage and a fizzing glimpse of a haunted dreamscape. Poetic, fresh and forceful, Stephanie Lake's work is intricate and dynamic dance that hits you in the solar plexus.
Duration: 35 minutes

2021

Impermanence
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
A visceral and thrilling exploration of the juxtaposition of beauty and devastation, this full-length work features a new score full of emotional power from Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner performed in association with the Australian String Quartet.
Duration: 65 minutes

2020

Cuatro
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Four dancers. Four musicians. Four Films.
Duration: 14 minutes

2019

Us 50
Choreography / Gideon Obarzanek
Us 50 is a grand-scale work by Gideon Obarzanek featuring 50 performers made up of past dancers that have graced our stage, current Company dancers, and members of our community.
Duration: 40 minutes
Neon Aether
Choreography / Gabrielle Nankivell
Gabrielle Nankivell’s premiere, Neon Aether, is a theatrical adventure into the infinite unknown. Inspired by science fiction and outer space, audiences will be transported into a vivid, ethereal world beyond the clouds.
Duration: 25 minutes
Cinco
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Be moved by a “dazzling technical display of flexibility” (★★★★, Sydney Morning Herald) in the world premiere of Rafael Bonachela’s Cinco. Watch “elastic dynamic dancing” (The Daily Telegraph) from our award-winning dancers, in delicate costumes by revered fashion designer Bianca Spender, set to Alberto Ginastera’s soaring String Quartet No.2.
Duration: 26 minutes

2018

ab [intra] – Contemporary Dance Work
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
ab [intra],​ meaning ‘from within’ in Latin is ‘an exploration of our primal instincts, our impulses and our visceral responses’, says choreographer Rafael Bonachela. From tenderness to turmoil, ​ab [intra]​ is a journey of intense human existence that will command your attention.
Duration: 70 minutes
Forever & Ever
Choreography / Antony Hamilton
Set to a sonically stimulating score by The Presets’ Julian Hamilton, Forever & Ever fuses together a killer mix of dance, techno, high fashion and vivid lighting to hypnotic effect.
Duration: 36 minutes

2017

Ocho
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Explosive and powerful, Ocho, is "sexy, athletic choreography…" (Time Out Sydney), showcasing the dancers' virtuosity. Fusing a brutalist industrial dreamscape with a surging electronic score by Nick Wales that features haunting vocals by Aboriginal singer ​Rrawun Maymuru​ of the Mangalili clan, ​Ocho explores​ the infinite connections that exist between us all.
Duration: 40 minutes
Full Moon
Choreography / Cheng Tsung-lung
Cheng Tsung-lung's Full Moon harnesses the power of the moon and the mythology and poetry of mankind to thrilling effect.
Duration: 38 minutes
WOOF
Choreography / Melanie Lane
WOOF​ generates variations of collective actions that speak from matters of the heart. In an imagined physical future, stealing from classical dances, romantic paintings and pop culture, a re-invention of community takes place. In dialogue with Clark’s bold musical score, ​WOOF​ relentlessly forges a duality of instability and empowerment, harnessing the fantasy of a post-human collective spirit.
Duration: 20 minutes

2016

Lux Tenebris
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Lux Tenebris​ explores light and darkness with fiercely physical movement and deep, electronic beats by composer Nick Wales.
Duration: 40 minutes

2015

Frame of Mind
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Frame of Mind features a dramatic contemporary-classical soundtrack by Bryce Dessner (from American hit rock band The National), recorded by San Francisco’s virtuosic Kronos Quartet. ​Frame of Mind w​on four Helpmann Awards in 2015 – Best Choreography, Best Dance Work, Best Male Dancer and Best Female Dancer – in its critically acclaimed premiere season.
Duration: 35 minutes

2014

Wildebeest
Choreography / Gabrielle Nankivell
Gabrielle Nankivell’s eloquent creation, Wildebeest, showcases the power of dancers as individuals and strength en masse. Moody and animalistic, it’s backed by a stormy and industrial score by Luke Smiles.
Duration: 30 minutes

2010

6 Breaths
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Since the 2010 premiere of Rafael Bonachela’s award-winning 6 Breaths the work has toured to New York, London, Barcelona, the Venice Biennale in Italy and the prestigious Movimentos Festival in Germany. A symphony of dance, music by Italian composer Ezio Bosso and costume design by Josh Goot, this emotive work will take your breath away.
Duration: 40 minutes

Overview

Sydney Dance Company opens 2016 with Countermove — an exhilarating double bill that will intrigue, move and entertain you.

Rafael Bonachela’s world premiere, Lux Tenebris explores light and darkness with fiercely physical movement and deep, electronic beats by composer Nick Wales (long-term collaborator of Sarah Blasko).

While Alexander Ekman’s Cacti is a brilliantly conceived, laugh-out-loud funny piece that dares to poke fun at contemporary dance. Featuring a string quartet live on stage, Ekman’s witty and energetic choreography returns to Sydney having left a global trail of rapturous reviews.

“Forget everything you think you know about contemporary dance” (Drum Media). Don’t miss CounterMove in its limited Australian season.

★★★★ Utterly mesmerising” – The Guardian

★★★★½ A winning combination” – Limelight Magazine

“★★★★ Dance can be fun”Sydney Morning Herald

Follow #SDCCounterMove @SydneyDanceCo on FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

Duration: 90 mins including a 20 min interval

WARNING: Lux Tenebris contains bright flashing lights

Lux Tenebris is a coproduction of the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company and Sydney Dance Company, supported by the Nelson Meers Foundation and Sydney Dance Company Commissioning Fund. 

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Dates and Times

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE OF LUX TENEBRIS


Rafael Bonachela’s Lux Tenebris will be performing in Germany on the following dates:

Bockenheimer Depot, Frankfurt
September 8,  9, 11, 14 and 19
Festspielhaus Hellgrau, Dresden
Sept 29,  30, October 1, 3, 6, 10

REGIONAL TOURING
NSW 
17 – 18 June: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
22 June: Orange Civic Theatre
25 June: Newcastle Civic Theatre
29 June: GlasshousePort Macquarie
20 August: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre
24 August: Griffith Regional Theatre
27 August: Dubbo Regional Theatre

QLD
2 July: 
Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
6 July: Gladstone Entertainment Centre
9 – 10 July: Centre of Contemporary Arts, Cairns
15 – 16 July: The Arts Centre, Gold Coast

NT
29 July:
 Darwin Entertainment Centre

WA
3 August:
 Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
6 August: Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
9 August: Albany Entertainment Centre
13 August: Bunbury Entertainment Centre

Creatives

Cacti
Choreography and Costumes: Alexander Ekman
Stage Design: Alexander Ekman and Thomas Visser
Lighting Design: Thomas Visser
Lyrics: Spenser Theberge

Lux Tenebris
Choreography: Rafael Bonachela
Composer:
Nick Wales
Lighting Design: Benjamin Cisterne

Media & Audience

★★★★ Utterly mesmerising” The Guardian

★★★★★ The dancing is astonishing!” – ArtsHub

★★★★½ A winning combination that, on the one hand provokes and entertains, and on the other confronts and moves its audience in a dazzling evening of dance.” – Limelight Magazine

★★★★ A new work extends the dancers’ flexibility and boldness, while the return of a favourite reminds us that dance can be fun. Both engage the dancers’ feisty attack, admirable stamina and formidable technique.” – Sydney Morning Herald

“It’s the perfect show to take your dance-sceptical friend to.” – Time Out Sydney

“Wickedly witty, brilliantly danced and hugely entertaining” – Arts Review

Cacti is a delight: witty, effervescent, playful, surreal and joyously physical.” – The Australian

…infectious playful energy and absolutely incisive wit.” – Time Out Sydney

★★★★ CounterMove is full-bodied dance, swinging across light and shade, humour and gravitas. A satisfying and well produced combination of two very different offerings.”  Herald Sun

Hilarious and poignant”  The Age

Blindingly brilliant” – Crikey.com

Cacti had me laughing until tears ran down my face… Light hearted yet choreographically brilliant.” – Dance Australia

“Forget everything you think you know about contemporary dance.” – Drum Media


Audience Feedback

Massive congratulations to the whole cast, stunning dancers with so much power, grace and heart. Haven’t seen work that clean in a long time. Thanks for the inspiration SDC. – Benjamin Cure, Instagram

I am so happy that I (randomly) bought a ticket to last night’s performance! It was absolutely exhilarating! – Densie Devine, Instagram

Wonderful, wonderful show! Cacti was one of the most entertaining productions I have ever seen, and Lux Tenebris was mesmerising. – Valerie Young, Facebook

Saw this in Canberra last night. It was fabulous. The dancers timing was perfect, highlighting the clever choreography. A really entertaining piece. – Kaye Uebel, Facebook

The bill was excellently structured, with the irreverence of Cacti, balanced with the more serious but equally engaging mood of ‘Lux Tenebris’. – Audience Survey Feedback

It’s a show not to be missed!!! Immense energy, technical choreography, outstanding perfectionist performance by the dancers, music touching you from top to toes … Inspiring indeed!! – Vika Goodlife, Facebook

What a brilliant double Bill. The production is cutting edge dance meets art with fabulous lighting and staging! The choreography is stunning showing the style and form Bonachela has brought to the company. It is so exciting to see it from the early days with Graeme Murphy and how it has evolved. Cutting edge contemporary…Go now and support our great Sydney Dance Company! – Michael Harris, Facebook

Brilliant, funny and mesmerising!! – Julie Pennell Anderson, Facebook

I took my girls to see this last night. Just amazing. WOW. We loved it – Liz Dadd, Facebook

Blown away by @sydneydanceco first performance of the year ‘CounterMove’ – @ThisIslandLife

@sydneydanceco ‘CounterMove’ is a brilliant, breathtaking new program. Utter collaborative genius. GO SEE IT! – @JosefBrown