Unexpectedly real

Normal, Weekender
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The National, Friday 02nd March 2012

DANCE is an art form that refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music; embodying and expressing ideas, emotions or even telling a story. Every dance, no matter what style, has something in common; it is a form of art.
The Restless Dance Theatre is inspired by cultures of disability. This youth dance company from Australia features disabled and non-disabled performers, who combine to create art in the form of contemporary dance through ‘exploration and collaboration.’  Restless is an inspirational outfit that will launch its international career in Port Moresby, as part of the Australian High Commission’s Australia Week 2012 celebrations.
Founded in 1991 by Sally Chance and Tania Rose, Restless Dance Theatre creates dance theatre and run workshop programmes. The Adelaide-based company began as Restless Dance Company, but changed in 2008 to the Restless Dance Theatre, under the directorship of Phillip Channells. 
Restless Dance Theatre’s choreography is based on a model of interaction that does not rely on mimicry or acting in the traditional sense, but integrates the individual stories, experiences and emotions of the dancers.
The cast is varied and can include dancers with learning disabilities and dancers with physical and sensory impairment.  It is a place where dance is used as a mode of expression which allows people to speak eloquently to everyone.
Restless will be performing for the public at the Moresby Arts Theatre on Wednesday 7 March at 7pm.
The evening will include a live performance, titled ‘High Voltage’ – a 15-min work directed by Youth Ensemble dancer with a disability and emerging director, Lorcan Hopper.
This will be followed by a screening of the Company’s award-winning dance film, ‘Necessary Games’. 
The visiting tour group will also conduct dance workshops with students from Cheshire disAbility Services and the Red Cross Special Education Resource Centre during their tour. The workshops will give young disabled people in PNG a chance to be inspired by what can be achieved through dance, regardless of whether an individual is able-bodied or disabled. 
The Australian High Commission’s partnership with the Restless Dance Theatre is an extension of the Australian Government’s commitment to promoting the rights and abilities of the disabled, in the Pacific, and throughout the world. It is estimated that up to one million people in PNG have a disability to varying degrees – this represents one out of every seven Papua New Guinean.
The Australian Government is supporting PNG to ratify and implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to draft domestic legislation and to implement PNG’s National Disability Policy.Last year, Australia announced an additional K7 million to assist the disability sector in PNG to better protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities; decrease barriers and attitudes that prevent people living with disabilities from participating fully in society; and to improve health and education outcomes for men, women and children with disabilities.
The Restless Dance Theatre is a shining example of what people living with disabilities can achieve.
For more information on Australia Week, or to purchase tickets to the Restless Dance Theatre’s performance on Wednesday 7 March, contact the Australian High Commission’s Public Diplomacy Section on 325 9333 or e-mail [email protected] .