Inspired by the discovery of two entwined skeletons, from different worlds yet locked in an embrace, Two Blood draws its central narrative from two stories: a Tagalaka woman forcibly separated from Country (Zoe Wozniak) and a Chinese migrant (Zachary Lopez) caught between his ancestral world and the one he has assimilated into.

Alongside them is a third, more abstract story of an Indonesian woman fleeing a flood-ravaged village for Singapore (Yilin Kong).

There are some jagged edges in the production’s overarching structure; however, all three performers, supported by a cohesive ensemble, deliver expressive and emotionally committed performances. Wozniak’s duet with Carly Sheppard captures the painful push and pull of fighting to maintain a connection to Country, while Kong’s command of movement alongside dialogue is particularly impressive.

Australian Dance Theatre & Kurinji: Two Blood. Photo © Morgan Sette

The show’s highlight is the exploration of the Chinese migrant experience. A powerful trio between Lopez, Macon Escobal-Riley and Sheppard captures the mania of trying to find yourself amid a sea of outside noise. Interspersed with simple, repetitive dialogue, co-choreographers Daniel Riley and Jasmin Sheppard use their skilled...