Sydney Dance Company returns with Engine, an exhilarating triple bill uniting three bold choreographic voices—Rafael Bonachela, Fran Diaz, and Melanie Lane—in a dynamic program of contemporary dance.

At its core is Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela’s The Journey Itself is Home, a striking new work inspired by the writings of 17th-century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō. Set to a score by Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner, the piece delves into the interplay between movement, memory, and place, offering audiences a deeply immersive and reflective experience.

Making its Australian premiere, The Mass Ornament by Berlin-based Spanish choreographer Fran Diaz reinterprets Siegfried Kracauer’s influential 1927 essay through a hypnotic contemporary lens. Accompanied by the evocative music of Henryk Górecki, the work explores themes of collectivity and connection, where individuality remains present within a powerful shared rhythm, creating a visually compelling and emotionally resonant performance.

Rounding out the program is Melanie Lane’s critically acclaimed Love Lock, a visionary reimagining of folk dance for a modern world. Drawing on shared cultural traditions and the urgency of global change, Love Lock is both celebratory and cautionary—highlighting dance as a unifying and transformative force. The production features intricate costumes by renowned Australian designer Akira Isogawa and an immersive electronic score by UK artist Clark.

Hailed by critics and audiences alike, Love Lock has received widespread praise:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “…choreographed with electric intelligence by Melanie Lane.” – Sydney Morning Herald

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Love Lock is a work of bold genius and unfiltered creativity… It’s a cult I absolutely want to join.” – BachTrack

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “…Love Lock feels exceedingly contemporary. In fact, it feels like a glimpse into the future. You just can’t look away.” – ArtsHub

★ ★ ★ ★ “Each element of Love Lock is expertly crafted… a spectacular explosion of colour, richness and immersion that leaves the audience craving more.” – State of the Art

Engine showcases contemporary dance at its most daring—bringing together distinct creative voices in a program that is both intellectually engaging and visually captivating.