A captivating and visually spectacular reimagining of a Dreamtime story, ‘How the Birds Got Their Colours’ fuses First Nations storytelling and dance with contemporary circus.
Against a stunning backdrop of rock wall and lush tropics, the sound of swirling wind fills the space and the powerful voice of Yugambeh Elder Luther Cora resonates around the ampitheatre.
Luther is a warm and commanding presence, dressed in traditional adornment and body paint, surrounded by seven performers from Arc Circus and the Yugambeh Dancers clad in all black with sleek feathered arms. Only the striking accents on their faces hint at the birds’ colours to come.
The show begins with a song of welcome, as the performers transform into birds, propelled into the air by the sole piece of staging – a round tumbling mat. Luther speaks of Mibunn the eagle; his people’s Totem, as the troupe criss-cross the stage with leaps and forward rolls that hang in the air like birds in flight.
Luther guides the audience through the tale of the crow and the pelican, incorporating bird song and caws that add depth to the soundscape. He explains how the crow’s mockery of the pelican’s walk sparked an ochre-strewn fight that led to the birds getting their colours.
The audience’s rapt attention is drawn at all times between Luther’s compelling storytelling and the transfixing choreography and acrobatics that bring the narration to life.
Beautifully-adorned bird wings are revealed to awes and applause, as they glimmer in the late afternoon sun. Vibrant blues, oranges, pinks and yellows of the galahs and rosellas contrast against the pelican’s elegant silver. Every bird gets their moment in the spotlight, showcasing the performers’ unique talents.
Beautiful lines and extensions blend smoothly into human towers and waves, aptly described as ‘living sculptures’, that dissolve and re-form.
The artistry displayed in transitions differentiates ‘How the Birds Got Their Colours’ as a mesmerising work of storytelling, beyond showy stunts. This fluidity has a hypnotic effect on the audience, who often blink out of their trance a second or two late, to applaud and cheer.
Aerial cartwheels and flips create tension and intensity throughout the show, using intersecting tumbling lines and bodies thrown across each other to speed up the pace and excitement.
The skill and trust within the troupe is evident, with minor misses smoothed over calmly and professionally. A wobble while lifted in extension is rebalanced with such poise it’s almost a variation.
A human staircase motif from the beginning of the show brings the performance to a gentle close; ending with an emphatic declaration from Luther Cora, that like the pelican, it doesn’t matter how you walk, we are all the same.
‘How The Birds Got Their Colours’ is a beautiful spell-binding show; a must-see experience for all ages.
‘How The Birds Got Their Colours’ is on until Sun 17 Aug, at MAGNT as part of Darwin Festival.
BY ALANA JAMES