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Of The Land On Which We Meet dance review: Acrobatic political work

An exploration of Australia's First Nation peoples' connection to the land

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Of The Land On Which We Meet dance review: Acrobatic political work

With a title drawn from Australia’s ‘Acknowledgement of Country’, a recitation that honours the First Nation people's connection to the land, it's only fitting that the foundation of Na Djinang’s acrobatic piece rests on how said land supports and shapes the lives of those who live on it. It’s unfortunate, then, that far too much time is devoted to watching the performers tumble across the stage without much meaningful interaction. Only near the end do the physical feats reach an impressive crescendo as bodies contort and climb over bodies, sometimes lifting each other up to reach greater heights, other times clawing each other down.

Of the Land is, at its climax, a thrilling acrobatic performance. And more importantly, as a comment on the tension between the nurture and abuse, and the cooperation and exploitation of the Australian land and of the people that inhabit it, it is a stirring piece of theatre.

Of The Land On Which We Meet, Assembly Checkpoint, until 25 August, 5.30pm; main picture: Jane Hobson.

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