The Wire

Who was Patyegarang? A woman well before her time, Patyegarang was a teenager from the Eora Nation who befriended Lieutenant William Dawes not long after he arrived in New South Wales on the First Fleet. This unusual relationship between the woman and the eccentric astronomer will be remembered in a new work by Sydney-based Bangarra Dance Theatre, as the company celebrates its 25-year anniversary. If Patyegarang were alive today she would have the “pizzaz” of pop singer Jessica Mauboy and the “incredible knowledge and wit” of writer-lawyer Larissa Behrendt according to Jasmin Sheppard who will dance her part in the production. Patyegarang will premiere at the Sydney Opera House in June before touring across Australia.