Australia Dancing - Human Veins Dance Theatre (1980

Human Veins Dance Theatre (1980 - 1988)

Gould, Ross: Human Veins Dance Theatre company members, 1988

Human Veins Dance Theatre gave its first performance in Middleburg, the Netherlands, in 1979. The company was directed by Australian choreographer Don Asker. Asker reformed the company for a concert tour in Melbourne later in 1979, and in 1980 it became a permanent company based in Canberra. It was Canberra's first professional dance company. The name of the company was derived from a Dutch expression meaning 'human temperament' or 'lifeblood' and was coined to suggest that the company aimed to capture the spirit of life and to develop new works relevant to modern society.

Much of the Human Veins repertoire was choreographed by Asker, although commissioning works from guest choreographers was also an important feature of the company's operations. Choreographers commissioned by Asker included Julie-Anne Long, John Utans, Garry Lester, Tony Strachan and Kai Tai Chan. Asker's own works frequently had a strong dramatic base, often commented on society and its values and explored a variety of performance forms that combined dance with image, drama, song and instrumental music.

Asker resigned from the directorship of Human Veins in 1988 and in 1989 the Meryl Tankard Company took over the role of Canberra's professional dance company.

For more about the history of Human Veins see Life-blood: Don Asker and the Human Veins Dance Theatre, National Library of Australia News, March 2002.

Bibliography:

The Ausdance Guide to Australian Dance Companies, 1994 (Canberra: AGPS, 1994), pp. 255-263

See also: Asker, Don ; Chan, Kai Tai ; Meryl Tankard Company

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Find more about Human Veins Dance Theatre in:

Internet - Google
Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
Pictures - Picture Australia