Sydney Festival and Bankstown Arts Centre are proud to present the world premiere of Sisa-Sisa, a profoundly moving double-bill of personal dance solos that delve into themes of human memory, survival, and identity.
Conceived, choreographed, and performed by acclaimed artists Alfira O’Sullivan and Murtala, this evocative production features two distinct works grounded in Indonesian traditions. Murtala’s Gelumbang Raya draws from his firsthand experiences as a volunteer following the 2004 Aceh tsunami, transforming stories of migration, trauma, and resilience into a powerful act of remembrance. Alfira O’Sullivan’s Jejak & Bisik bravely confronts cultural silences surrounding fertility, perimenopause, and the shifting female body, blending body percussion, song, spoken word, and expressive movement to create a shared ritual of healing and reflection.
Enhanced by an original score from composer Gondrong Gunarto, along with stunning lighting by Fausto Brusamolino and visual design by Sam James, Sisa-Sisa offers a raw and poetic meditation on human endurance: what traces linger after facing the unendurable.
This newly commissioned production, supported by Create NSW and produced by Insite Arts, marks a highlight of Sydney Festival’s celebrated program, bringing culturally rich contemporary dance to Western Sydney audiences.
Performances take place at Bankstown Arts Centre on Friday 23 January at 7:30 pm, and Saturday 24 January at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm. The show runs for 80 minutes, including an interval.
Don’t miss this searing exploration of strength and survival through dance. Tickets are available now. Book at https://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/events/sisa-sisa.
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