Walking into Bay 17, the larger performance space at Carriageworks, you are immediately struck by the huge sculpture hanging over the stage. An enormous net with branches woven through the bottom of it, it is the key piece of set design for all three works in Bangarra Dance Theatre’s latest triple bill, and it works superbly.

Designed by Jacob Nash, it looms out of the semi-darkness, highlighted against the walls of the vast black box space. At times, during the three works, it suggests a tree or creeping vines, at others a ghost net (a fishing net that has been lost at sea by fishermen). Then suddenly it seems to resemble a ghostly figure or spiritual guide under Matt Cox’s exceptionally beautiful lighting. It’s an inspired, arresting eloquent piece of design, triggering high hopes for the evening. But choreographically the programme doesn’t quite rise to meet it.

Waangenga Blanco and ensemble in Ngathu. Photograph © Daniel Boud

Bangarra’s latest production ONES COUNTRY – the spine of our stories is a triple bill of new works: Ngathu choreographed by Dujakapurra Munyarryn with Stephen Page and the Bangarra ensemble; Place by Kaine Sultan-Babji; and Whistler by...