Australian Dance Theatre founder Elizabeth Dalman returning for Adelaide Festival Show at 90

In the sweltering heat of Adelaide's summer, 90-year-old Elizabeth Dalman is still directing dancers in intense rehearsals at the Australian Dance Theatre (ADT). ADT choreographer Brianna Kell stated that Dalman often refers to herself as a strict mentor, possessing abundant energy and a keen eye for detail.

Dalman founded the troupe in 1965, and now she has returned to assist with the choreography of "The Language of the Unsaid," a performance for next year's Adelaide Festival. This performance is also one of the series of events celebrating the troupe's 60th anniversary. ADT is globally renowned for its leading position in modern dance.

This is a stark contrast to when the young Dalman brought modern dance from the Netherlands back to Adelaide, where she was born and raised. She explained, "Modern dance was initially a rebellion against classical ballet, which trained the body in a very unnatural way, and the early pioneers wanted to find a more natural way for the body to move." However, this novel form of dance was not accepted by everyone. "Many audiences loved it, but the critics would say 'this dance is ugly, they're barefoot, it's shocking, or they're rolling around on the floor, oh my goodness' and so on," she recalled with a laugh.

She often found support from unexpected groups, namely art enthusiasts in rural areas. "People in rural areas rarely had the opportunity to see theatrical performances, so whatever they saw was a wonderful experience, and people would travel long distances to see the shows," she said. Australia's oldest modern dance company was established against a backdrop of national social and political turmoil, and Elizabeth Dalman was often at the forefront of change. "I was called an angry woman because I created a piece in 1967 called 'Sunset,' which expressed my views on the Vietnam War, it was an anti-war piece," she said. "We broke a lot of rules, but it was for the better."

She recalled the days of gathering in Adelaide basements, where protest leaders were imprisoned, and even a Buddhist monk self-immolated during the turbulent times. Dalman left ADT in 1975 and pursued dance and teaching in Italy and the Netherlands. Now, she lives and works at the Mirramu Creative Arts Centre and dance company outside of Canberra. For a nonagenarian, it would be understandable to choose an easier life, but Elizabeth Dalman has not, and she remains at the heart of rehearsals for ADT’s Adelaide Festival performance.

"She has an amazing presence, she's a storyteller, she's like a creative goddess, she walks into the room and you just listen," said Brianna Kell. "One of my most profound memories is of Liz effortlessly sliding into the splits, this 90-year-old woman...sliding into the splits and then gracefully standing up." Dancer Zachary Lopez said of the rehearsals, "It's joyous, it's grand, it's fun, and there's a lot of homage to Australian dance from the past to the present."

The veteran choreographer has a close connection to nature, and rehearsals include spending time in beloved Adelaide parks, lying on the ground, and keeping company with some pesky bull ants. "Even if it's a bit uncomfortable, with some ants on your feet, a few bites here and there, that's okay," Kell said with a laugh. "You kind of pull yourself away from the pain and think about the inspiration, and not so much about the bull ants or the mosquitoes, but more about the microcosm of that space," Lopez continued. Elizabeth Dalman has no plans to retire. "Dance is part of my life," she said. "The Language of the Unsaid" will premiere at the Adelaide Festival in late February.