As Joel Bray’s Garabari – it’s the Wiradjuri word we know as corroboree – morphs almost imperceptibly from dance work into dance party, audience members walk around the Northern Broadwalk gently patting their hearts, faces lit up with the beauty of this communal gesture.

A crowd numbering about 700 surrenders to the bliss of all-embracing movement, music and togetherness. The more formal part of Garabari is over, and it is time to become part of the story. This is audience participation of the most generous kind; no coercion, just encouragement to move collectively and be in the moment. I cannot see through the crowd to confirm if some people answer the call to do the lazy kangaroo, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they do.

Zoe Brown Holten and Luke Currie-Richardson in Garabari. Photo © Stephen Wilson Barker

Garabari premiered in Melbourne in a different form in 2022 at that city’s Art House. At the Sydney Festival Garabari is in its happy place, outdoors and by the water. The Northern Broadwalk is at the back of the Sydney Opera House, overlooking Sydney Harbour and with...