Rotunda
Shona McCullagh
Described as “another fierce and fabulous strike for professional and profound contemporary dance in New Zealand.” (Bernadette Rae, The NZ Herald.), Rotunda premiered at Q Theatre, Auckland in August 2013. Rotunda features the powerful collision of a live brass band with fervent NZ dance. Created by the company’s Artistic Director and Arts Laureate Shona McCullagh, in collaboration with the NZDC dancers, musician Chris O’Connor and celebrated singer, songwriter, composer and fellow Laureate Don McGlashan as Musical Director, Rotunda brings to life the world of the band rotunda as an iconic symbol of New Zealand community. Invited to the Holland Dance Festival in February 2014, Rotunda received 4 star reviews and standing ovations at every performance. Rotunda brings to life the world of the band rotunda, an iconic symbol of early 20th Century community, where we rekindle memories of loss and love in a haunting snapshot of Australasian history. Rotunda draws from the extraordinary courage and indomitable spirit of our ANZAC men, and the women who set about running the country with aching hearts and dread that their men might not return. Renowned for its earthiness, physicality, rhythm and expression this unmistakably New Zealand choreography integrates shadow play, mace twirling, a Brass band, and a fusion of waiata with dynamic contemporary dance theatre. The New Zealand Dance Company completed a sweeping Australasian tour, performing Rotunda in Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Adelaide, Melbourne, Parramatta and Geelong. Music The music is performed by The NZ Army Band in Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, and North Shore Brass in Auckland. The score consists of contemporary brass music from New Zealand composers Gareth Farr, John Ritchie and Don McGlashan. Traditional hymns are woven into this stunning score to conjure the emotional landscape of a seminal time in our nation’s history |
"Stylishly evocative, danced – and played – from the heart, Rotunda closes lyrical and lovely, with an image of hope for a peaceful and loving world. Don’t we wish?"
The New Zealand Herald
2015 INTERNATIONAL TOUR
Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Her Majesty's Theatre
Friday, 1 May 2015
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Arts Centre Melbourne
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Friday, 8 May 2015
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Parramatta, AUSTRALIA
Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Friday, 15 May 2015
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Geelong, AUSTRALIA
Geelong Performing Arts Centre
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Friday, 22 May 2015
Saturday, 23 May 2015
2015 NATIONAL TOUR
Tauranga
Baycourt Community & Arts Centre
13 March 2015
Wellington
Soundings Theatre, Te Papa
Thursday, 19 March 2015
Friday, 20 March 2015
Saturday, 21 March 2015
Sunday, 22 March 2015
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Christchurch
Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Friday, 27 March 2015
Dunedin
Regent Theatre
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Auckland
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Friday, 24 April 2015
Saturday, 25 April 2015
2014 INTERNATIONAL TOUR
Den Haag, NETHERLANDS
Holland Dance Festival
Theater aan het Spui
Thursday, 13 February
Friday, 14 February
Saturday, 15 February
Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS
Stadsschouwburg
Tuesday, 18 February
2013 PREMIERE SEASON
Auckland
Q Theatre
Saturday, 29 August 2013
Sunday, 30 August 2013
REVIEWS
“Rotunda is brilliant! The powerful and engaging performance ends with a standing ovation.”
Sheree Bright, Theatreview
"The New Zealand Dance Company’s maiden performance in South Australia has validated their reputation as an inspiring company with high-calibre dancers.”
The Clothesline
READ IT HERE"The best possible tribute— a powerful piece of dance. Brave, beautiful and, above all, honest.”
Dr Michelle Potter, Dancetabs
READ IT HERE“Rotunda … is a memorable work by this new brave company.”
Felicity Molloy, Theatreview
READ IT HERE“Even people who say they hate brass music are able to enjoy this particular concert.”
Raewyn Whyte, Theatreview
READ IT HERE“……another fierce and fabulous strike for professional and profound contemporary dance in New Zealand.”
Bernadette Rae, The New Zealand Herald
READ IT HERECREATIVE TEAM
Choreography
Shona McCullagh in collaboration with the dancers
Musical Director
Don McGlashan
Conductors
SSGT Phillip Johnston & Marc Taddei
Musicians
NZ Army Band & North Shore Brass
Composers
Don McGlashan
John Ritchie
John Psathas
Edward Elgar
Johannes Brahms
Gareth Farr
Alex Lithgow
Set Design
Joe Bleakley
Costume Design
Jane Holland
Lighting Design
Paul O’Brien
Dramaturgy
Michelanne Forster
AV Design
Augusto Ltd
2015 Dancers
Carl Tolentino
Chrissy Kokiri
Chris Ofanoa
Gareth Okan
Hannah Tasker-Poland
Katie Rudd
Lucy Lynch
Tupua Tigafua
Aloalii Tapu (Understudy)
Georgia Goater (Understudy)
Lisa McFarlane (Secondee)
Taniora Motutere (Secondee)
2013 Dancers
Carl Tolentino
Emma Dellabarca
Emmi Coupe
Gareth Okan
Hannah Tasker-Poland
Justin Haiu
Lucy Lynch
Tupua Tigafua
Chrissy Kokiri (Secondee)
