Engine

★★★★★ “luminous beauty"

ABOUT THE SHOW

Engine unites three extraordinary choreographers; Rafael Bonachela, Fran Diaz and Melanie Lane, for an exhilarating performance that promises bold, fearless dance.

Rafael Bonachela premieres The Journey Itself Is Home, a new work featuring music by Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner and inspired by 17th-century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō.

Engine sees the return of acclaimed Australian/Javanese choreographer Melanie Lane’s Love Lock, a re-imagined folk dance of the future, drawing upon collective experiences of diverse cultures, an accelerating world and disappearing lands. Love Lock celebrates the binding ability of dance to move, warn and empower, showcasing costume design by celebrated Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa, layered with texture and colour, and a score composed by UK electronic artist Clark.

Completing the bill is the Australian premiere of The Mass Ornament by remarkable Berlin-based Spanish choreographer Fran Diaz is a hypnotic work set to the music of Henryk Górecki reimagines Siegfried Kracauer’s seminal 1927 essay. Diaz compellingly transforms the concept of mass movement into an exploration of connection and collectivity, where individuality coexists, not in opposition, but in dialogue. The Mass Ornament was commissioned by Hessisches Staatsballet and performed in Australia with its kind permission.

Sydney Dance Company’s season, Engine is supported by their Season and Tour presenting partner The Art House, Wyong and includes support from the donors to the Carla Zampatti Commissioning Fund. 

★★★★½ “heart-thumping”