Rotunda | The New Zealand Dance Company in Auckland

Rotunda features the beautiful collision of a live brass band with the raw power of contemporary dance, timed to honour the Gallipoli landings in 1915. This is a poignant and moving work, created by Arts Laureates Shona McCullagh (Artistic Director) and Don McGlashan (Musical Director) in collaboration with a cast of 8 dancers.

Performing with the NZ Army Band and North Shore Brass in New Zealand, to a range of heartfelt hymns and stunning, new brass works by contemporary New Zealand composers Gareth Farr, John Ritchie and Don McGlashan, Rotunda is a living memorial that celebrates the ANZAC spirit and the themes of courage, loss, kinship and ultimately, a desire for peace. 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.

Flourish For An Occasion by John Ritchie Invercargill by Alex Lithgow Invercargill Deconstructed by Alex Lithgow, arr. Don McGlashan Tawhirimatea by Gareth Farr (recorded by the National Youth Band of New Zealand, conducted by Nigel Weeks) Coventry Carol by Trad, arr. Don McGlashan E Pari Ra (sung) by Paraire Tomoana, arr. Don McGlashan Jerusalem by William Blake/Hubert Parry, arr. Don McGlashan Threnody by John Ritchie Flourish Homecoming by John Ritchie, arr. Don McGlashan Colne by Thomas Rive Nimrod, from Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar, arr. Denis Wright Chorale Prelude #1 by Johannes Brahms

All other incidental music by Don McGlashan.