DANCE: MERYL TANKARD’S THE ORACLE

It’s hard to imagine that something that sounds as buttoned-down and flowery as The Rite of Spring could’ve once caused riots in the aisles. But that it did in 1913, its dissonances and primitive polytonalities rattling the accepted norms under the guidance of Vaslav Nijinsky. Choreographer Meryl Tankard is also no stranger to controversy. In The Oracle, she journeys through a few strange and haunting worlds; that of Nijinsky himself; the allegorical paintings of Norwegian artist Odd Nerdrum; and of course Stravinsky’s Rite itself, an epic that still sounds fresh and modern. Brought to life by Helpmann Award-winning dancer Paul White, and just as the tender buds start flushing our spindly trees, this is a timely homage to man, nature and the vital conflict between the two.

Sept 16-20, Playhouse, Sydney Opera House, $25, 9250 7777 or sydneyoperahouse.com