In Song and Dance

The 1964 Eisteddfod Performing Arts Competition

In 1964, communities from all over the Northern Territory sent performers to compete in the annual Eisteddfod - an amateur contest for choral groups, dancers and musicians. The host city of Darwin became a meeting place for men, women and children to show off their skills and culture. Tiwi Islanders and the Yolngu from far-off Yirrkala in Arnhem Land joined the children of Chinese-Australian citizens and inland cattle farmers, who, with the Centralian rough riders and desert people, talked together in English - the only tongue they had in common. But in song and dance they shared a language which people everywhere can understand.

IN SONG AND DANCE documents the rehearsals and captures the electric atmosphere which surrounded the performers as they prepared for seven days and nights of competition. Filmed with great sensitivity, this black and white documentary neatly captures a slice of 20th century Northern Territory amateur, performing arts history.