MEDIA RELEASE | GLORIA – A TRIPLE BILL
GLORIA – A TRIPLE BILL
A celebration of life and legacy in dance and music
31 March & 1 April 2026 – His Majesty’s Theatre Perth
“Combining artistry and stamina, New Zealand choreographer Douglas Wright’s masterpiece of contemporary dance is made all the more magical by a glorious live musical accompaniment.” – Limelight
In a landmark collaboration, Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia and The New Zealand Dance Company honour revered choreographer, the late Douglas Wright, with the return of his iconic masterpiece GLORIA. Performed live with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and St George’s Cathedral Consort.
Acclaimed as one of New Zealand’s most magnificent artists of the 21st century and renowned for his beautiful, brave, and innovative work.
Douglas Wright’s GLORIA has been remounted only a handful of times since its premiere in 1990, including its critically acclaimed presentation at the 1992 Perth Festival, it was last staged by Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia in 2022 and now returns by popular demand alongside new creations in thistriple billing.
Set to Vivaldi’s most famous sacred score, GLORIA bursts with joy and hope as 10 dancers fly, twist and turn in a graceful airborne celebration of life.
This groundbreaking triple-bill brings together leading international dance makers from both sides of the Tasman, featuring A MOVING PORTRAIT by Co3’s Founding Artistic Director Raewyn Hill and LAMENT by renowned Māori choreographer and Artistic Director of The New Zealand Dance Company Moss Te Ururangi Patterson.
Hill’s A MOVING PORTRAIT offers an intimate meditative reflection on ageing, fragility, and grace, set to Arvo Pärt’s Tabula Rasa Ludus II. Silentium (recorded by the Australia Chamber Orchestra), with costumes by acclaimed Australian Japanese fashion designer, Akira Isogawa. This excerpt from the larger work IN THE SHADOW OF TIME is performed by 5 dancers from Co3 Contemporary Dance.
Patterson’s LAMENT, performed by 5 dancers from The New Zealand Dance Company, traces a powerful journey through memory and resilience, honouring the endurance of whakapapa, the visionary artistry of Douglas Wright.
Dancers from both companies will then join forces to complete the evening’s performance bringingDouglas Wright’s masterpiece, GLORIA, to His Majesty’s Theatre stage.
“For Co3 and for me, this season marks a moment of connection, pride, and shared momentum. Touring the work across Aotearoa with New Zealand Dance Company before sharing it with audiences in Western Australia, through a regional tour and a limited season in Perth, marks a powerful moment of collaboration between Co3 and the New Zealand Dance Company.” – Raewyn Hill, on what it means for Co3 to be touring to New Zealand for Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts
“Collaboration sits at the heart of this programme, and the opportunity to present work in Western Australia is an absolute highlight. We’re so honoured to be working alongside the amazing team at CO3.” – Moss Te Ururangi Patterson, on the value of collaboration and the significance of working with WA’s State contemporary dance company.
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
BOORLOO (PERTH) SEASON: His Majesty’s Theatre Perth
Tuesday 31 March 7.30pm
Wednesday 1 April 1.00pm (matinee) and 7.30pm
Tickets: $30 to $75
https://www.artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/venues/his-majestys-theatre/whats-on/gloria-a-triple-bill/
REGIONAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA DATES
NALA BARDIP MIA – MARGARET RIVER HEART
Wooditjup (Margaret River)
Tuesday 24 March 7.00pm
Tickets: https://tickets.artsmargaretriver.com/Events/GLORIA-A-Triple-Bill
RED EARTH ARTS PRECINCT KARRATHA
Ngarluma (Karratha)
Friday 27 March 12:30pm (matinee) and 7.30pm
Tickets: https://karratha.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/160026
AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Thursday 12 March 7.30pm
Friday 13 March 7.30pm
Saturday 14 March 7.30pm
Content Warning
Smoke and strobe FX. One scene contains brief minimal nudity.
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.
Caution: Smoke and strobe FX. One scene contains brief minimal nudity.
CREATIVE TEAM
GLORIA
Choreographer: Douglas Wright
Stager: Megan Adams
Artistic Advisor: Ann Dewey
Music: Antonio Vivaldi (Gloria)
Conductor: Joseph Nolan
Music performed live by: West Australian Symphony Orchestra and St George’s Cathedral Consort (Perth performances only).
Lighting Design: Mark Haslam
Costume Design: Elizabeth Whiting
A MOVING PORTRAIT
Choreographer: Raewyn Hill
Music: Arvo Pärt Tabula Rasa Ludus II. Silentium
Recording Performed by Australian Chamber Orchestra Studio Cast Recording 2021
Lighting Design: Mark Haslam
Costume Design: Akira Isogawa
LAMENT
Choreographer: Moss Te Ururangi Patterson
Composition: Shane P. Carte
Lighting Design: Mark Haslam
In collaboration with PERFORMERS: Isope Akau’ola, Eden Kew, Caterina Moreno, Anya Down, Franky Drousioti
Understudy: Maisy Bell
Artistic Director, Raewyn Hill, is supported by Wesfarmers Arts.
GLORIA – A TRIPLE BILL is proudly supported by Wesfarmers Arts, EY and the Government of Western Australia.
The Regional Tour of GLORIA – A TRIPLE BILL is supported by the Government of Western Australia through Playing WA.ABOUT CO3 (pron. KOH-three)
CO3 CONTEMPORARY DANCE IS AN ARTISTIC HOUSE, PROUDLY BASED IN PERTH, BOORLOO, ON THE LANDS OF THE WHADJUK NYOONGAR PEOPLE.
Co3 is Western Australia’s state contemporary dance company, dedicated to curating, commissioning, and creating exceptional contemporary dance works. With a vision to enrich and inspire, Co3 celebrates the transformative power of dance as a universal language that connects people across all walks of life.
The company is the creative home for Founding Artistic Director and dance pioneer, Raewyn Hill, a working artist, maker, educator, performer, and director. The annual artistic program centres on the development, creation and touring of major and minor scale works that are uniquely physical and multidisciplinary in nature. As a core priority for the company, Raewyn developed the Pathways Program, partnerships with WAAPA and the independent dance sector, demonstrating a commitment to empowering and inspiring generations of artists. www.co3.org.au
ABOUT THE NZ DANCE COMPANY
The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC), formed in 2011 is a leading, full-time arts organisation that creates and presents innovative and inspiring contemporary dance for audiences in Aotearoa and around the world.
Artists and audiences are at the heart of their programmes, embodying their commitment to serve dance-loving communities by delivering compelling and relevant dance experiences driven by diverse voices, reflecting the energy and spirit of Aotearoa.
Their performances resonate deeply, offering transformative and unforgettable contemporary dance that reflects the essence of whenua (land) and its rich dance culture. The company’s kaupapa (purpose) is invigorated by the courageous risks they take, inspiring dancers, artists, creators and collaborators to deliver boundary-expanding work.