Rotunda

Overview

Anzac Day is fast approaching, along with the dawn services and parades that accompany the commemorative holiday. If you’d rather waive your commitment to the sunrise ceremonies, perhaps you’ll honour the day a little differently this year. The New Zealand Dance Company is performing their own tribute to the soldiers of World War I this year in their production, Rotunda.

Eight of the company’s most talented up and comers will dance alongside a live brass band in contemporary style. The show captures the main themes of the battle at Gallipoli in 1915, including courage and bravery, loss and despair, and the unanimous desire for worldwide peace. The show is no reenactment of the War, but more of a representation of the emotions that took over the country during the event.

With music by the NZ Army Band and a score crafted by local composers, Gareth Farr,John Ritchie and Don McGlashan, the sounds of the show consist of traditional hymns, contemporary brass and Maori waiata. Rotunda was invited to perform at the Holland Dance Festival this year, and gained a standing ovation after every performance. What better way to celebrate Anzac?