The Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre present Flora, a bold and exhilarating new collaboration choreographed by Frances Rings. This marks the companies’ fourth partnership—and their first full-length work together—where Bangarra’s distinctive storytelling style guides audiences through the evolution of Australia’s native flora. An unmissable new work, this world premiere explores the deep and lasting impact of pivotal historical and environmental events on the land and its people.
From the sleeping yams beneath the earth, to the gums that breathe our air and stand proud over generations, flora is living witness to Australia’s unfolding history. When the ships brought animals that trample and weeds that choke, flora endured. Through fire, flora renews and regenerates. The resilience of flora parallels the resilience of Australia’s First Peoples.
Flora features distinctive choreography from Mirning woman Frances Rings, Bangarra’s Artistic Director and Co-CEO, an original score composed by Kalkadungu man and internationally renowned composer William Barton, dynamic costumes from Meriam Samsep woman Grace Lillian Lee, set design by Elizabeth Gadsby, lighting design by Karen Norris and Cultural Consultancy from Matthew Doyle, a descendant of the Muruwari Aboriginal nation.
A new chapter in Australian performance, Flora is the two companies’ most significant collaboration to date, featuring an ensemble of over 35 dancers drawn from both companies.
Journey through our living history in this unique dance experience. Flora will have its Melbourne premiere 12-21 March, 2026 at Regent Theatre and its Sydney premiere 7-18 April, 2026 at Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre.
