Mutiara

ABOUT THE SHOW

Mutiara reflects on 100 years of the pearl shell industry along the shores of Rubibi (Broome) to highlight the unsung bonds between First Peoples of the Kimberley and workers of the Malay diaspora. Taking a window from the 1870s when early free diving practices were entwined with the slavery of Indigenous peoples, the dangerous and brutal conditions of the industry continued through decades of exploitation of indentured Asian workers to the early 1970s, with the end of the hard hat diving era.

Marrugeku’s choreographic truth telling reflects on Broome’s harsh pearl shell industry and the bonds forged in its wake between Malay workers and First Peoples of the Kimberley.

Mutiara draws on diasporic connections to land and sea — celebrating resilience, love and the strength of ancestors through South East Asian martial arts, music, storytelling, and Yawuru and Minangkabau dance forms, highlighting the fluid power and resilience of the nomadic Malay. Bones speak, seas change, ancestral beings feud and deep beneath the surface the pearl diver yearns for home.

Co–choreographers and dancers Dalisa Pigram, Soultari Amin Farid and Zee Zunnur with Broome’s Ahmat Bin Fadal (ex–pearl diver) collaborate with visual artist Abdul–Rahman Abdullah, composer Safuan Johari, dramaturg Rachael Swain, costume designer Zoe Atkinson and lighting designer Kelsey Lee, to reflect on living within multiple shifting frames of identity, culture, faith and belonging.

★★★★ "[The] performers express their individuality and their interdependence with gripping physicality... a dense mixture of ritual and story-telling…. History walks among us if we pause for long enough to see it, hear it, and Mutiara asks us to pause, look, listen."

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Marrugeku can offer bespoke audience development support delivered in partnership with presenters by our Impact Producer, who will work with your marketing and audience engagement team to develop a program that extends beyond the stage to create meaningful cultural exchange, dialogue, and active participation at each venue.

The starting point will be to engage with local elders and TOs to reach out to the First Nations communities in your region, and the Asian diaspora to engage in the themes of the work. The foyer exhibition Saltwater Cowboys provides an entry point for the themes embedded in the work, and this can be further developed through community-embedded panel discussions, meets and greets, yarning circles and the like.

ABOUT MARRUGEKU

Marrugeku is an unparalleled presence in Australia today, dedicated to Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians working together to develop new dance languages that are restless, transformative and unwavering. The company's works are created out of urgent reciprocities between Peoples, Country and custodians, understanding that telling stories together is one of the simplest and hardest things we can do. Marrugeku is led by co-artistic directors: choreographer/dancer Dalisa Pigram and director/dramaturg Rachael Swain. Marrugeku’s performers come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, collaborating to co-create each production. Marrugeku’s patron is Yawuru cultural leader and national reconciliation advocate Senator Patrick Dodson.

“The company consistently resists conformity, presenting works of transformative reciprocity.” - Arts Hub, 2021

"Marrugeku cements its place as one of Australia's most exciting dance companies." - Alison Croggon

“Marrugeku is at the global forefront of cultural expressive integrity. Their work transcends romantic representation, to represent the complex social reality of contemporary Indigenous society in a manner that confronts ever increasing audiences of both Indigenous and non- Indigenous people. Marrugeku’s artistic integrity is also demonstrating their inclusiveness of Indigenous voices, advice and guidance. As cultural advisor I can strongly attest to that.” - Patrick Dodson Patron/Cultural Advisor

“In the 30 years since Marrugeku’s humble beginnings, artistic directors Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain have forged one of Australia’s most significant dance companies.”

REVIEWS

★★★★ "Moods, impressions, expressions of Malay culture, intimations of what working underwater feels like, a sense of dislocation (and worse) on the part of First Nations workers, an element of mysticism and more are threads woven into a mesmerising whole….The movement language is fluid, as you might expect, but strongly centred and connected to the performers’ individual traditions. The sweeping evocation of a Malay spirit and a trenchant Saltwater Woman solo are particularly resonant." - Deborah Jones, Limelight

"The dancers fight impulses from within, generating empowered choreographic expressions." - Jonathan W. Marshall, The Conversation

Audience Responses – Broome, Sep 2023 and Perth 2024

“As a former commercial diver I found the work very relatable..the tugging of the hose to signal a command..the laboured breathing..the reverberating sounds emanating through the dense water. It was a very visceral experience..I was made to feel exhausted as I’m sure the divers were.” - Pat Kelly-former abalone diver, current free diver

“I felt so moved while watching Mutiara. The generous sharing of stories and the inter-generational, inter-cultural care with movement on stage was special to witness. The stunning set, music and lighting design elevated the dancing and I felt grateful to be in the presence of generally untold histories.”

“Such an incredible show & feeling very privileged to be attending the World Premiere here in our hometown of Broome.”

“Stunning show”

“Absolutely fantastic . Your performances and music…incredible… and last snippets of the untold parts of the pearling story.. You won’t be disappointed with Mutiara”

“This was incredible!!”

“Beautifully executed show...Such skilful dancing, historical hauntings, so deeply moving at times."