Flora: A Dance of Hope & Resilience

Flora, a significant new collaboration between the Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre, is set to premiere in Melbourne in March 2026, followed by a Sydney season in April.

This full-length production, choreographed by Mirning woman and Bangarra Artistic Director Frances Rings, is a tribute to Australia's native flora. It explores the profound, age-old relationship between First Nations peoples and the plants they have stewarded for thousands of years.

Beyond its celebration of nature, Flora also delves into the shared history of disruption caused by colonisation. The work illuminates how both plants and First Nations communities have endured the destructive wake of this history across generations.

Artistic Director David Hallberg views Flora as a narrative of hope, drawing inspiration from the enduring beauty and strength of plant life. It extends an invitation for a unified approach to safeguarding the future of these vital natural resources.

Matthew Doyle, a descendant of the Muruwari people, provides crucial cultural consultancy to ensure the authenticity of the storytelling. The production features an ensemble of 35 dancers from both esteemed companies.

Fashion designer Grace Lillian Lee, known for her striking textiles derived from traditional Torres Strait Islander weaving, has created sculptural elements for the show. Composer William Barton, a Kalkadunga man and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, has crafted a score that blends Indigenous and classical musical traditions, to be performed live by Orchestra Victoria and the Opera Australia Orchestra.