★★★☆☆ A welcome revival of the landmark piece that has driven this company for over two decades.

Many stories are described as “timeless”, but few can rival the ancient narratives of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia for longevity. For thousands of years generation after generation have passed down these traditions, but this is a culture whose history isn’t merely spoken. Song and dance are as vital to the expression of Aboriginal life, past and present, as words. These stories, rooted in the earth, are the cornerstone of Aboriginal society, but it is also a way of life that has had to adapt to coexist alongside the urban pace of modern metropolitan Australia.

21 years ago, Bangarra Dance Theatre’s artistic director Stephen Page set out to capture the duality of contemporary Aboriginals but the result, Ochres, happened upon a mode of storytelling that was powerfully reciprocal. The fusion of Aboriginal symbolism and modern choreography not only offered a fascinating insight for non-indigenous Australians of the rich heritage of the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island nations, but also provided a means for indigenous communities from the inner cities to reconnect with Country and discover forgotten aspects of their shared history.