Tertiary Catalogue

Like all works of literature, ‘Macbeth’ is a reflection of the time in which it was written. This video discusses the historical context of the play, including the ascension of James I, the Globe Theatre and how audiences would have responded to the opening scenes. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

A central component of the ‘Scottish Play’ is the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This video explores the nature and deterioration of their relationship in two key scenes: Act 3, Scene 4 and Act 5, Scene 5. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

At the heart of the ‘Scottish Play’ are the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and their relationship. This video discusses one of their key scenes - Act 1, Scene 7 – explaining the meaning of the scene and discussing the language used within. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

Over 400 years after Shakespeare’s death, his plays continue to be studied, discussed and performed around the world. This video delves into the literary devices used in ‘Macbeth’ and its major themes, explaining how they contribute to the timeless nature of the play. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

The 1930s and ‘40s saw a wave of European film directors emigrate to the US. In the same period, anti-communist hysteria due to Cold War tensions swept across the US and paranoia became commonplace. This video delves into the historical context behind the surveillance and suspicion seen in Alfred Hitchcock’s film ‘Rear Window’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this film. Show Less

During and after the Second World War, political and nationalistic sentiments saw the burning and removal of books as part of reality. Post-WWII, economic prosperity in the US saw print media give way to new technologies and trends. This video explores the influences on and dystopian elements of Ray Bradbury’s novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

The lives of women in Victorian Britain were marked by limited opportunities and strict expectations regarding their behaviour. Poor understanding of mental illness and strong beliefs surrounding religious morality influenced society’s perception of women. This programme looks into the real-life background to and Gothic aspects of Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Police approaches towards the investigation of crimes changed greatly in the 19th century. In London, there was an explosion in the number of detectives and true crime stories experienced a surge in popularity. This programme delves into the inspiration for and Gothic features of Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Sign of Four’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Victorian England was heavily shaped by the Industrial Revolution. While some prospered in this society, many others lived gruelling industrial lives from which Christmas offered only a brief reprieve. This programme explores the influences on and Gothic elements of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

The 19th century was a time of shifting morals, behaviours and beliefs. People led secret double lives, leading authors and scientists alike to become fascinated with human psychology. This programme investigates the inspiration behind and Gothic influences on Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Woollarawarre Bennelong was a senior man of the Eora, from the Port Jackson area in Sydney. With extraordinary curiosity and diplomacy, Bennelong led his community to survive a clash of cultures, and left a legacy that reverberates through contemporary life. Bennelong is Bangarra at its best. In a unique Australian dance language, the company celebrates the continuation of life and culture through the power, artistry and passion of the country’s most outstanding dancers. With its immersive soundscapes and exquisite design, Bennelong will leave you in awe of Australia’s history – and its power to repeat. Teachers are advised to review the work before selecting it for study, as it includes scenes/themes that some viewers may find challenging. Show Less

Living on the Plateau, at an average elevation of over 12 thousand feet above sea level, the Tibetan people are known to be compassionate, bold, candid and devout. Most Tibetans practice Tibetan Buddhism. Just as the distinctive geographical and weather conditions in the region have influenced their dance movements, Tibetans sacred religious beliefs and political climate have also had an impact. This programme combines both Tibetan folk dance and stage dance performances of The Song of the Emancipated Serfs choreographed by Xu Xiaoping of China Central University for Nationalities and Tibetan Mystery choreographed by Yang Liping (also lead dancer). In addition, Madam Yang provides insight into her artistic and casting choices for Tibetan Mystery. Show Less

In this programme, the ethereal voice of Buren Bayaer (a legendary Inner Mongolian singer), along with the images of yurts and running horses, brings the audience to an otherworldly setting of Inner Mongolia. Inner Mongolians, in general, are known to excel at horse riding. The span of the great plain has cultivated the openness and strength in this ethnic group and nurtured their vigorous, bold and energetic dances. Distinguished Inner Mongolian dancers, Dun E Er and Si Qin Hua, demonstrate traditional Mongolian Horse Dance, Chopstick Dance and Bowl Dance. It features Leaping Horses choreographed by Ma Yue of China Central University for Nationalities, a contemporary stage dance presentation inspired by Mongolian horse dance tradition. An interview with Ma Yue provides an insight into the conceptual and artistic choices made in the creation of this dance piece. Show Less

Han is the largest ethnic group in China, whose people inhabit the middle and eastern regions of the country. Han folk dance tradition started on the streets in the 5th century as ritual events. Nowadays, this tradition named Yangko flourishes everywhere, on the streets, in classrooms and on stages. This programme showcases a myriad of Yangko forms, both on and off stage, including Northeastern Yanko, Shandong Yanko and Shanbei Yanko, each has its distinctive features. The stage presentations of the Northeastern Yanko titled Happy Snow choreographed by Wang Xiaoyan and performed by Ming Li of Shanghai Theatre Academy, and the Shandong Yanko named Blossoms of Mountain Flowers choreographed by Chi Hong and Miao Xiaolong and performed/produced by the Dance Department of Shanghai Normal University are stunning examples of this dance form. Show Less

Located in the southwest region of China, Dai people enjoy mild weather and beautiful landscapes of mountains and lakes. While the water splashing and dragon boating events held in their annual spring festival showcase the close ties between their culture and the land, the water running in the rivers and lakes has often been the inspiration for their dance creations. The dance presentation titled Playing with Water allows the audience to experience vicariously the heat of the sunlight and the crystal clear water streaming though the river. This dance captures the unique body movements of Dai Dance that reflects the cordial and gentle nature of this ethnic group. Show Less

Neighbouring with the Dai group, Aini group lives primarily in and around mountains and canyons at an altitude of twenty-five to eighty hundred feet. They are famous for their production of Pu-erh tea. Dancing and singing are second nature to the Aini people. In this programme, while listening to the folk song titled Magical Village by famous Aini singer Mi Xian, the audience will enjoy Aini cultural traditions of tea brewing and folk dancing by girls clapping to the rhythm and wearing spectacular ceremonial costumes. Show Less

This programme provides an overview of the historical development of Long Sleeve Dance, a dance form dating back to the 7th century BCE, a time that is known as the Spring-and-Autumn period in Chinese history. It introduces a some of the codified language of Long Sleeve Dance. Highlighted are the Long Sleeve Dance performances titled The Colours of Water choreographed by Wang Yukun and Miao Xiaolong and Zhao Jun Departs the Frontier choreographed by Jiang Huaxuan. In Zhao Jun Departs the Frontier, Liu Min, a nationally acclaimed dance master, employs exquisite language of Long Sleeve to convey the conflicted emotions of Zhao Jun (one of "The Four Beauties" known in Chinese History) as she leaves her homeland and lavish lifestyle for the grasslands of the remote north as part of peace treaty. The dance tells an ancient story of loyalty, heroism and self-sacrifice for the common good. Show Less

Dunhuang Dance is a form of Chinese dance that draws sources from body movements depicted in artefacts found in Dunhuang Mogao Caves. Located in Gansu Province of China, along the Silk Route, at the crossroads of trade as well as religious, cultural and intellectual influences, the seven hundred and thirty five caves are famous for their statues and fresco paintings, spanning 1,000 year of Buddhist art. Thousand Hand Guan Yin, a representative of Dunhuang Dance featured in this programme is a contemporary creation conceived by the renowned Chinese choreographer, Zhang Jigang, and produced by the China Disabled Performing Art Troupe. In this dance, a group of hearing-impaired dancers effectively utilise their body language to communicate the magic of "thousand hands" and hints at the deep meaning of Buddhism, its luminescence and boundless love. Show Less

A young man reconciles ancient tradition with the modern, urban world in this debut feature from Stephen Page, artistic director of Australia’s renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre. Primarily utilizing gesture and dance, with minimal dialogue, 'Spear' follows a young man named Djali (Hunter Page-Lochard) from the Australian outback to the streets of Sydney on his quest to understand what it means to be a man with ancient traditions in a modern world. Despite the fragmentation of Indigenous cultures, it is in the complex interconnection between places that Djali will ultimately discover his own power — a power linking past, present, and future. Show Less

In this programme, students will find accessible explanations and examples of persuasive literary techniques used in advertising. The common rhetorical devices stipulated in the Australian Curriculum for English are demonstrated in engaging detail. The theme of car commercials provides a useful context in which students can explore the effect of multiple techniques, including allusion, simile and metaphor, hyperbole, personification, evaluative language and parody. Show Less

"The study of acting should begin with physical action - a specialised, structured, flexible and adaptable physical action that is enlisted in the direct service of the expression of thought and feeling. I call this integrated physical action an expressive action." -Michael Lugering. A group of actors work through a series of carefully structured exercises and improvisations that unlock the physical, raw materials that make human expression possible. Whether the actor is expressing love, loss, rage or joy, unlocking these universal will provide the building blocks for captivating and dynamic acting. Show Less

Joan Melton, an internationally recognised actor trainer and author, interviews master teacher Michael Lugering in a theoretical discussion of recent discoveries in philosophy, somatic psychology, neuroscience and aesthetics that underpin the integrated voice, movement and acting method presented in this series. Show Less

A group of actors demonstrate a series of voice and body exercises that unite a series of moving, breathing and sounding actions in an integrated full-bodied acting workout. These smart exercises do more than simply build essential skills in alignment, movement, respiration, resonance and range, but simultaneously prepare the actor for the expression of the body's richest and most powerful thoughts and feelings. The goal is the development of a flexible and dynamic voice and body that is hard-wired to express thought and feeling. Show Less

Choreography by Stephen Page Produced by Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2013. As the colonial fleet arrived on Eora country in the late 18th Century, Patyegarang befriended the colony’s timekeeper, Lieutenant William Dawes, gifting him her language in an extraordinary display of trust and friendship, which now inspires our imaginations about ‘first contact’. Show Less

Reaching agreement on the meaning and ‘spirit’ of the Treaty of Waitangi - New Zealand’s founding document - has led to fierce debate and violent conflict between European settlers and Maoris since its signing in 1840 until the present day. This documentary style program looks at events leading up to the signing, consequences of the signing, the key points of difference in the two versions of the treaty, the treaty in the twentieth century, and the founding of the Waitangi Tribunal. There are interviews with New Zealand historians Claudia Orange, Dr Benjamin Pittman (Great-Great Grandson of Maori Chief Patuone) and Mark Derby. Suitable for New Zealand history, culture-related and indigenous rights studies at the senior secondary and further education level. It provides a good introduction to the treaty and the controversies, and points of contention surrounding it. Show Less