Elements of Noongar music and dance will be weaved into one of the most widely performed and well-known ballets in the world for the stage next year.
Ballardong, Wadjuk, and Noongar man Barry McGuire will be the cultural consultant for the unique production of 'Swan Lake', which will include the McGuire family-owned Black Swan dance.
This dance has not been performed publically since 1902.
The dance will explore the story of how the white swan became the black swan, the symbol of Perth today.
WA Ballet artistic director Aurelien Scannella said that for the ballet companies 70th anniversary season, it was essential to present a unique story connected to the land they are on.
"I started this project three years ago, and I really wanted to make sure it wouldn't just be another Swan Lake because everyone in Perth has seen Swan Lake many times from different companies, although this is the first time the company will perform the full version of Swan Lake," she told The West Australian.
The world premiere performance will be set in the 1880's Fremantle Harbour, and will be soundtracked by Noongar musicians and artists and feature Gya Ngoop Keeninyarra (One Blood Dancers).
Ballardong Whadjuk Noongar man Barry McGuire will be cultural consultant to the WA Ballet in their 2022 reimagining of Swan Lake. Pictured: with WA Orchestra. Source: The West Australian
"This Swan Lake will never be performed by any other company in the world because it's a WA story, a Whadjuk story," Scannella said.
For the ballet's production, Polish choreographer Krzysztof Pastor will collaborate with McGuire, who will also be taking the stage to sing.
In addition, set & Costume Designers Phil R Token and Charles Cusick Smith will incorporate elements of the black swan totem throughout their designs and staging.
