THE BOGONG’S SONG: A CALL TO COUNTRY

Are we lost? – No-one is ever lost. Perhaps this is the most poignant message a brand-new show from Bangarra Dance Theatre, The Bogong’s Song: a call to Country, has to offer. Part of this year’s Brisbane Festival, this is a must-see production, created by Yolande Brown, herself a former senior artist and choreographer with the company, and the award-winning actress Chenoa Deemal, and featuring the performing talents of Benjin Maza and Tjilala Brown-Roberts. It follows the story of a brother and sister, who in their sleep find themselves in a dream searching for a Bogong moth. As they travel through their dreamland, their search is not only for the moth, but for themselves, for their loved ones, and for better humanity.

It might be aimed at a primary-aged audience, but The Bogong Song is a show that is intensely thought-provoking, while being thoughtful and relatable on so many levels. This children’s show tackles big, adult issues. The natural balance in the world, the constant battle between the indoors and the outdoors, the overwhelming presence of technology and AI in our lives, the ecological challenges our world is facing... The show speaks to children and reminds adults to open their minds and their hearts as a child would. At the same time, the gentle humour in the script keeps the audience smiling quietly or laughing out loud all the way to the end.

Enjoy the double meanings and the one-liners, as you watch the two actors show off their multi-faceted skills. Contemporary dance, singing, acting, even some popping and locking, and the magic of shadow puppetry, on the backdrop of a skillful tech background that seamlessly blends traditional theatrical performance with today’s technological capabilities in performance. The polarity between the two worlds is central to the show. The opening scene sets the stage with iPad, Siri, and Tik Toc references, yet the characters embody strong awareness of and connection with the land and its elements. But just as the moth can get confused by bright lights, the sibling pair, too, are overwhelmed by the endless lights, pings and beeps, by the void between the inside and the outside, between man-made and the natural. As they search for this small, enchanting, lost moth, it guides them through their confusion and towards the love of humanity, inner peace, and faith in something bigger that themselves.

The siblings are guided by birds, insects, animals, reptilians, and even by the grass that coats the land, emphasizing the relationship with the natural world. The two actors masterfully perform all parts in this show, showing the versatility of their craft. The small theatre becomes an intimate set where each audience member – young and not-so-young – can feel part of the story. Ask the wrong question, and maybe you’ll find the right answer. 

The Bogong’s Song explores the question of belonging – central to the Australian identity. The question, though, is pertinent to anyone who has ever felt confused on the life path, burdened by the guilt of past mistakes, doubtful of their future. This relatability makes The Bogong Song so powerful and multilayered. This is a children’s show that will engage kids and inspire adults, and its magic will stay with you long after the Bogong moth is finally found.