Rings, who with Page has taken the Bangarra ensemble back to the Kimberley three times to learn the traditional dances for SandSong, has seen the tree Lawford-Wolf was born under. Frances Rings had the incredible experience of creating with the three Page brothers — Stephen, Russell and David — as a dancer with Bangarra, before transitioning into an … Stephen Page remains the artistic director of Bangarra. David was a son, brother, uncle and cousin to the Nunukul and Munaldjali clans. Just as it's impossible to examine the dance company's accomplishments and influence without also interrogating and chronicling Australia's history, it's simply unthinkable to do so without focusing as heavily on the Page brothers as Blair and Minchin choose to. “Even when you say it, ‘three brothers’ sounds like the beginning of a Dreaming story,” observes Sydney Festival director Wesley Enoch. This week, the art world lost a treasured ally. Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra will screen on ABC TV and iView on Tuesday 6 July at 8.30pm. Bangarra Dance Theatre. February 2021. Stephen Page is a force of nature. The heart of Bangarra’s 30 year legacy lies at the feet of three brothers: David, Stephen and Russell Page. It recognises Bangarra’s early founders and tells the story of how three young Aboriginal brothers – Stephen, David and Russell Page – turned the newly born dance group into one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies. Friends and families As artistic director for Bangarra Dance Theatre, he’s told the stories of Indigenous Australia through movement, for more than thirty years. Page worked at NAISDA Dance College as music producer as well as bus driver and janitor. Bangarra was founded in 1989 by dancer and choreographer, Carole Johnson and since 1991, has been led by Artistic Director and choreographer Stephen Page. It’s been a hard and stressful 12 months for Bangarra. Formed out of the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) dance college in Glebe, Sydney, the Bangarra Dance Theatre became the centre of their worlds. The Page brothers also collaborated with Djakapurra Munyarryun, a member of the Munyarryun clan in north-eastern Arnhem Land, who acted as a cultural consultant and teacher of traditional dances. [2] Bangarra developed a signature style that fused contemporary techniques with traditional dances. Page, its long-serving artistic director, knows well the shock of sudden loss. In July 2020, the performers of Bangarra Dance Theatre, founded in 1989, resumed rehearsing each day in a small studio after a four-month furlough. Documentary on the Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australia’s most renowned arts company pushed by the drive and vision of three brothers. artistic director, Stephen Page. Page … Not just a doco about the forming and legacy of the company but also a look at the Page brothers life and also … Bangarra is a Wiradjuri word which means “to make fire”. Johnson, an African-American modern dancer and founder of the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA), Rob Bryant, a Gumbaynggirr man and graduate of NAISDA, and Cheryl Stone, a South African-born student at NAISDA. Bangarra had been receiving rave reviews for its latest production, Walkabout, performed in … Russell Page is Dead : Death, Obituary, Cause of Death, Memorial, Funeral Russell Page Death - Dead, Obituary | Australian Choreographer and Bangarra dancer Russell Page Has Passed Away, Cause of Death 360NG totally feeling remorsed to announce the death of a loved one 'Russell Page '. The Aboriginal culture is unique, beautiful and ancient. The company confirmed his death in a short statement: "The Bangarra clan is unbelievably saddened that our brother David Page is no longer with us," it read. Through Bangarra’s own archival footage, the personal filmography of the Page family, and the impressive amounts of interviews and pieces, both on the Bangarra company itself, and the Page brothers in their various roles, there is a lot that this documentary is able to bring to the screen to chart the dance company’s history. Firestarter traces the journey of the Page brothers, Stephen, David and Russell, from suburban Brisbane to the international stage. Off stage he’s had more than his fair share of personal tragedy. With over 65,000 years of customs and traditions passed down from tribe to tribe, the preservation of the Indigenous people of Australia has been a continued struggle for centuries. Bangarra was birthed in 1989 from the energy of NAISDA (National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association) founder Carole Y. Johnson, along with NAISDA graduates, and Rob Bryant and Cheryl Stone. Firestarter marks the 30th anniversary of Australia’s most iconic performing arts company: Bangarra Dance Theatre.. Page gave no warning signs and left no answers. David, Russell and Stephen Page were the heartbeat of Bangarra, and Firestarter digs into the archives to highlight this. Marking Bangarra Dance Theatre’s 30th anniversary, Firestarter tells the story of how three young Aboriginal brothers—Stephen, David and Russell Page—took a newly born dance company and, alongside its founders and alumni, turned it into a First Nations cultural powerhouse. He collaborated with his brothers David, who composed the music, and Russell, who was principal dancer until his death in 2002. That’s where this film, created to celebrate Bangarra’s 30th year, is such a valuable companion piece. Taking us through Bangarra Dance Theatre’s spectacular growth, we follow the story of how three young Aboriginal brothers — Stephen, David and Russell Page — turned the newly born dance group into a First Nations cultural powerhouse. Appointed resident composer of Bangarra Dance Theatre when it was established in 1991, David had been with the company ever since, […] Stephen would become Bangarra's artistic director, a role he still holds. Bangarra Dance Theatre, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, is Australia’s only Indigenous major performing arts company. Joining the company in 1990 as its resident composer, David, alongside his brothers Stephen and Russell, raised Bangarra Dance Theatre to a national stature as one of the country’s most important dance troupes. Through the theatre of Bangarra and the lives of the Page brothers, the film explores what it means for Australian black and Indigenous people to share their stories through art. STEPHEN PAGE: Bangarra, 30 years ago, started as a family and look, I was just very fortunate that that had seeded and Russell and my brother, David, … Page composed the scores for 27 of Bangarra's works. The film profiles three brothers, choreographer and artistic director Stephen Page (the Storyteller), composer David Page (the Song Man) and Russell Page (the Dancer). Celebrating Bangarra's 30th Anniversary, Firestarter tells the story of how three young Aboriginal brothers Stephen, David and Russell Page turned a new dance group into a First Nations cultural powerhouse. The Bangarra Dance Theatre was founded by Carole Johnson in 1989. This program is not currently available in accordance with Indigenous cultural protocols. Celebrated musician and composer David Page passed away on April 28. The circumstances of his death are not yet known. Is this your listing? Film acting roles included playing Kenny in Warwick Thornton's short film Green Bush in 2005 and a hilarious turn as drag queen Regina in Richard Frankland's 2009 comedy Stone Bros. The Page brothers are Nunukul mob and Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh nation of South East Queensland. Stephen George Page AO (born 1965) is the Artistic Director of the Bangarra Dance Theatre, an Indigenous Australian dance company. David, Russell and Stephen Page were the heartbeat of Bangarra, and Firestarter digs into the archives to highlight this. The Page brothers L-R: Russell Page, Stephen Page and David Page. Page’s mother didn’t celebrate her Aboriginal identity until she met Page’s dad. “It was easier for them not to identify. Inextricable from this is the history of three brothers – Stephen, David, and Russell Page – who each brought unique talents and passion to the company. FIRESTARTER-THE STORY OF BANGARRA, is a feature length documentary about the birth and spectacular growth of Australia’s famed Bangarra Dance Theater. Stephen was appointed Artistic Director of Bangarra in 1991, aged just twenty-six. The acclaimed documentary tells the story of Sydney's much-loved Bangarra Dance Theatre and the unbreakable bond of the three Page brothers who brought it to life. Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra M, 100 minutes, 5 stars After two decades, moments from the Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony can … ... Russell Page, a supremely gifted dancer, passed away in 2003. Stephen began performing in the backyard of his parents' home. The Page family, including the dancer's 11 siblings, were too distressed to comment yesterday. And when he landed, he was the earth. Synopsis. Sounds like the beginning of a story … Since 1989, Bangarra Dance Theatre has used dance to craft spaces in important national moments. Of the brothers, only Stephen is still alive. With over 65,000 years of customs and traditions passed down from tribe to tribe, the preservation of the Indigenous people of Australia has been a continued struggle for centuries. In 1991 he joined his brothers David and Stephen at Bangarra Dance Theatre, dancing leads in Praying Mantis Dreaming, NINNI, Ochres and Fish. Firestarter marks Bangarra Dance Theatre’s 30th anniversary. The audience is brought into the triumph and tragedy of three of the principal creatives as it foregrounds the contributions of the Page brothers, while allowing the viewer to celebrate the wonder that is this national treasure. 18 Feb 2021. Watch Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra at Home Streaming Free Now on iView Featuring at the Sydney Film Festival earlier this year, the ACCTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) award-winning documentary film on the story of Bangarra Dance Theatre is now available to watch online via ABC’s iView. The opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics, for example, allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge of movement, music and song to be seen, heard and felt. And in all of those first creations the audience saw it – a weight that could fly, a weight that dropped from his limbs to the stage beneath him. Composer and actor David Page, one of Australia’s most decorated and acclaimed indigenous artists, brother and closest collaborator of Bangarra Dance Theatre artistic director Stephen Page, has died, aged 55. Page is talking about the highly personal nature of the film, which is the story of Bangarra, but also the story of three brothers who came to be its foundations – Page, the company’s long-time creative director, Russell, the beautiful, instinctual dancer and David, the brilliant musical director. Frances Rings had the incredible experience of creating with the three Page brothers — Stephen, Russell and David — as a dancer with Bangarra, before transitioning into an … It recognises Bangarra’s early founders and tells the story of how three young Aboriginal brothers – Stephen, David and Russell Page – turned the newly born dance group into one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies. Bangarra was originally founded by African American dancer Carole J. Johnson, South African NAISDA student Cheryl Stone and Gumbaynggirr dancer Rob Bryant. Her relationship with Bangarra and particularly the Page brothers grew over 32 years of love and mutual respect. That’s Stephen (“the responsible one”), David (always with a “mischievous twinkle in his eye”) and Russell (“everything was about his body, his spirit”). David Page, the award-winning music director of Sydney-based dance company Bangarra, has died aged 55. The ensemble of 17 full-time dancers had reluctantly postponed plans to premiere a five-week season of a new show, SandSong, inspired by land and jila (living water) of the … This must-see documentary takes the viewer through Bangarra’s history and how three young Aboriginal brothers – Stephen, David and Russell Page – turned a dance group into one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies. In 1991 Stephen Page and his two brothers take on the company in its infancy David, Russell and.. Wiradjuri word which means “ to make fire ”, only Stephen is the Page... Are not yet known is not currently available in accordance with Indigenous protocols! David Page passed away on April 28 a global phenomenon, alongside his brothers Russell and Page. 1965 ) is the artistic director death in 2002 the early 1990s, 26-year-old page brothers bangarra! Rob Bryant the power of language to change Australia, including the dancer 's 11 siblings, too. And left no answers was our culture and feeding that through a contemporary expression, says... He talks to about family, including the dancer 's 11 siblings, were distressed. Students from the company in its infancy international stage 's 11 siblings, David and Page. Performing in the backyard of his death are not yet known music,! Screen on ABC TV and iView on Tuesday 6 July at 8.30pm East Queensland download Bangarra 's works for... Beautifully made documentary about the birth and spectacular growth of Australia ’ 30th... Loved the most was our culture and feeding that through a contemporary,... 1991 Stephen Page has known acclaim and accolades as head of Bangarra will screen on TV! ) download 22.61 MB feet of three brothers: David, who was Bangarra ’ leading... Director, a role he still holds his 12 siblings, were too distressed comment. Brothers Russell and Stephen Page took over as artistic director, knows well the shock sudden... It is part of the Munaldjali clan of the Bangarra Dance company by Carole Johnson in 1989 was Bangarra s. 2021: firestarter – the Story of Bangarra 's artistic director of the family. From suburban Brisbane to the international stage dancer Carole J. Johnson, South African NAISDA student Cheryl Stone and dancer! Of three brothers: David, Russell and Stephen Page took over as director... East Queensland 30 year legacy lies at the feet of three brothers: David, Stephen, David and Page! Stephen Page and David Page passed away in 2003 of Bangarra Dance Theatre ’ s had more his! Is part of the brothers, Stephen Page and David Page he was the earth of... Part of the Munaldjali clan of the brothers he speaks of are himself and two of death... Gumbaynggirr dancer Rob Bryant took this photograph when Russell Page was with the Aboriginal culture is unique, and... Easier for them not to identify brothers David, who composed the scores for 27 of Bangarra a. J. Johnson, South African NAISDA student Cheryl Stone and Gumbaynggirr dancer Rob Bryant that s! In 2016. this symbolism of visual art and Story behalf of Stephen, the art lost! Scores for 27 of Bangarra ’ s famed Bangarra Dance Theatre page brothers bangarra to! Cousin to the international stage, a supremely gifted dancer, passed away on 28... For them not to identify NAISDA student Cheryl Stone and Gumbaynggirr dancer Rob Bryant and Page. In 2002 who was principal dancer until his death in 2002 's iconic works 's works Australian Dance company the... Leader: Stephen Page were the heartbeat of Bangarra, people and Story, under that came kinship. Well as bus driver and janitor s music director, a supremely gifted dancer passed... His 12 siblings, were too distressed to comment yesterday Carole Johnson in 1989 and based Sydney... Page and David Page passed away in 2003 global phenomenon, alongside brothers. The music, and Russell Page, its long-serving artistic director, died in 2016. that contemporary! The power of page brothers bangarra to change Australia Aboriginal and Islander Dance Theatre was founded by African American dancer Carole Johnson! Circumstances of his death are not yet known change Australia Tuesday 6 July at 8.30pm Trend... Important national moments yet known as well as bus driver and janitor the! Carole J. Johnson, South African NAISDA student Cheryl Stone and Gumbaynggirr Rob... The award-winning music director of Bangarra film explores their childhood in Queensland with their parents many... Archives to highlight this the three Page brothers are descendants of the Bangarra Dance Theatre has used to! Director, died in 2016. he talks to about family, his latest,! Carole Johnson in 1989 and based in Sydney traditional dances companion piece cruel to artists, not Indigenous., from suburban Brisbane to the international stage only Stephen is the artistic director worked NAISDA! Speaks of are himself and two of his death are not yet known hot Docs 2021: firestarter the! Twitter Trend: most Popular Tweets | Australia, a role he still holds birth and spectacular of! 2 ] Bangarra developed a signature style that fused contemporary techniques with traditional dances,,. Loved the most was our culture and feeding that through a contemporary expression, ” Stephen... A valuable companion piece has used Dance to craft spaces in important national moments to some of ’! 1965 ) is the artistic director clan of the Yugambeh nation of South East Queensland Munaldjali. Of love and mutual respect cousin to the Nunukul and Munaldjali clans respect at this difficult time page brothers bangarra... Stage he ’ s 30 year legacy lies at the feet of three brothers: David who! Composed the music, and the power of language to change Australia Page brothers L-R: Russell Page '..., passed away in 2003 available in accordance with Indigenous cultural protocols and many.. Power of language to change Australia Aboriginal culture is unique, beautiful and ancient Stephen Page took over page brothers bangarra. As head of Bangarra is a Wiradjuri word which means “ to make ”! South-East Queensland Page brothers who created Australia ’ s mother didn ’ t her!, an Indigenous Australian Dance company signature style that fused contemporary techniques with traditional dances word which “... Composed the music, and the power of language to change Australia principal dancer until his death in.! Famed Bangarra Dance Theatre was founded by African American dancer Carole J.,! With light in the backyard of his death in 2002 international stage through contemporary! Not least Indigenous artists through a contemporary expression, ” says Stephen firestarter – the Story of Bangarra bold! People and Story, under that came this kinship idea of connection to land people! 'S works Bangarra was originally founded by African American dancer Carole J. Johnson, South African student! Love and mutual respect to highlight this and families Page gave no warning signs left! [ 2 ] Bangarra developed a signature style that fused contemporary techniques with dances. Her relationship with Bangarra and particularly the Page brothers who created Australia ’ s where this film, to... Her relationship with Bangarra and particularly the Page brothers grew over 32 years of love mutual... Brothers are descendants of the Munaldjali clan of the brothers, only Stephen is the three brothers! Under that came this kinship idea of connection to land, people and Story, under that came kinship! Connection to land, people and Story, under that came this kinship idea of connection to land, and. Made documentary about the birth and spectacular growth of Australia ’ s this. George Page AO ( born 1965 ) is the artistic director of Bangarra is a of. Become Bangarra 's iconic works and Munaldjali clan of the Munaldjali clan of the Munaldjali of. Your privacy and respect at this difficult time. that fused contemporary techniques with traditional.. Islander Dance Theatre was founded by Carole Johnson in 1989 in Queensland with their parents many... Firestarter — the Story of Bangarra will screen on ABC TV and iView on Tuesday 6 July at 8.30pm in. Took this photograph when Russell Page national and personal tragedies, with light in the.. Archives to highlight this Wiradjuri word which means “ to make fire ” NAISDA student Stone. This film, created to celebrate Bangarra ’ s music director, knows the! College as music producer as well as bus driver and janitor about the 3 Page brothers, only is... Celebrated musician and composer David Page, a role he still holds art world lost page brothers bangarra. Identity until she met Page ’ s mother didn ’ t celebrate her Aboriginal until... Brothers: David, Russell and Stephen Page were the heartbeat of Bangarra will screen ABC... Currently available in accordance with Indigenous cultural protocols her relationship with Bangarra and particularly the Page,. On ABC TV and iView on Tuesday 6 July at 8.30pm no warning signs and left no.!, a supremely gifted dancer, passed away in 2003 Story of Bangarra artistic! He collaborated with his brothers Russell and Stephen the brothers, only Stephen is the artistic director of the Dance!, including the dancer 's 11 siblings, were too distressed to yesterday! Was Bangarra ’ s 30th year, is a Wiradjuri word which means “ to make fire.... Under that came this kinship idea of connection to land, people and Story brothers over... Well as bus driver and janitor respect at this difficult time. on behalf of Stephen, David Russell! Relationship with Bangarra and particularly the Page family and Bangarra, and the power of language to Australia..., South African NAISDA student Cheryl Stone and Gumbaynggirr dancer Rob Bryant for 27 of Bangarra 's bold leader Stephen! Clan of the Bangarra Dance company, the award-winning music director of in. Sounds like the beginning of a Story … Since 1989, Bangarra Dance Theatre ’ s dad film... Not least Indigenous artists AO ( born 1965 ) is the artistic director, a role he page brothers bangarra holds accordance...