PERTH audiences cannot seem to get enough of Djuki Mala, which is why the Indigenous dance production has returned to Fringe World for its third year.
“There is an appetite for it and energy goes where energy flows; this show they love so we come back,” artistic director Joshua Bond said.
“It’s just so joyous. When you see the dancers on stage, their faces are lit up and everyone is so happy and smiling.”
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READ NOWDjuki Mala re-interprets pop culture, dance and storytelling while juxtaposing traditional dances with contemporary Yolngu culture.
From Elcho Island, North East Arnhem Land, its origins come from a Zorba the Greek interpretation performed in 2007 for a woman with Greek heritage who was caring for Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy’s daughter.
The Djuki Mala show has since travelled around Australia and internationally, receiving the same reaction wherever it goes.
“Every show ends with a standing ovation and rapturous applause and we feel do blessed to be received that way,” Bond said.
“There is that Western anthological perspective of traditional Aboriginal culture of that one person with their leg up holding a spear and Djuki Mala smashes all those myths and places Indigenous culture firmly in the present day. It’s a great example of traditional culture interwoven with pop culture.”
The season might be the last chance to see this Djuki Mala production as Bond said a new show was in the works.
“It’s all under wraps but we’re collaborating with some new artists,” he said.
“It’s going to be very different from this show.”
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Djuki Mala
Where: The West Australian Spiegeltent
When: January 18 to 25 and February 9 to 17
Tickets: www.fringeworld.com.au