welcome
The Amber Temple is a theatrical performance that melds original music and dance to tell captivating stories.
vignettes verse & velocity
The Amber Temple marries mysticism with gritty, ghoulish escapades of rogues and renegades. Vignettes of characters similar to you, similar to me, similar to someone you may have been or may one day become, all on the path towards the Amber Temple.
From the bowels of the molten earth, to the jowls of the predatory opportunist, to the angel casting light from celestial constellations, you will find yourself wrapped in a web from a sliver of time, a faraway place, perhaps an unknown space, as musician and dancer weave their tall tales of trials and tribulations, mortal life and looming death, unwavering love and venomous hate, environmentalism and satirical social commentary.
The Amber Temple is a place that casts light into shadows, illuminates truth beyond facade, unraveling mysteries that may have remained locked over thousands of years.
Bard and ballerina embody the journeys of many who have traversed time and space searching for revelation. Seekers, vagabonds, the victorious and the vexed through moments of delight, frightful fights and fierce valour to hold what is true, release what is dissonant, burn off the old to make way for the new. When two souls meet, having searched for one another for an eternity, find themselves on the steps to the Amber Temple, what is to become?
the performers
The masked melodist has been scribing original compositions since his youth. A true troubadour who has tracked multiple records and trekked a myriad of cities and countries on festival stages, in back-alley bars, town halls and twisted taverns. Often accompanied by a virtuosic six-piece band consisting of everything from rhythm sections to organs to violins, the alchemy of such talent and originality has placed them on the map with critical acclaim.
The ballerina contemporaire has been twinkling her toes since early childhood. But it was not until a mesmerising experience watching contemporary dance at the Festival D'Avignon at the age of 18, shortly followed by a dance in the ocean with dolphins, that the mermaid made movement her career. Based in Vienna for several revolutions around the sun, she cemented her choreographic career, collaborating with esteemed musicians and set designers on festivals and stages with her own dance companies.
reviews
"The musicianship and prowess harnessed by this duo, the calibre of which, rarely seen on these shores, let alone on display in small venues dotted around the motu, we were transfixed before the first chorus.
Go watch Amber Stephens fluidly harness every muscle in her body to express the stories masterfully performed by her maestro partner in crime, Julian Temple - each, masters of their craft, together, incomparable.
Unmissable."
Carlos de Treend- The Lyric Theatre, Granity
"A live dancer added a visceral element to an already emotional performance. Having a responsive artist interacting and interpreting the music through movement only heightened the experience. It bridged the gap between performer and audience."
Ed Castelow - Dictaphone Blues
“You’ll be a converted fan of The Amber Temple before they’ve even finished their first song. There’s an obvious sense of originality, coupled with carefully crafted dance moments and some of the most intense and outstanding folk songwriting you’ve heard. There’s a feeling though that nothing is premeditated and that improvisation is the star of the show - the kind of performance that requires decades of experience. Luckily for us, Julian and Amber have this in spades. Do yourself a favour, I guarantee you’ve seen nothing like it.”
Sam Cullen - Singer/Songwriter
“Even having an understanding of the type of show The Amber Temple would be putting on when booking them - I was blown away by the amount of drama, tension and world-building Julian & Amber are able to accomplish in such an agile performance. The Amber Temple is a totally unique and utterly engaging experience which should be seen and celebrated.”
Chris Scott - Seaside Music
"It’s been almost a week since I went to the concert “The Amber Temple” and I’m still under its spell. I was invited by my dear friend Ruth, who told me: “You must see this!” And she was right. We met at the cozy Jam Factory (Historic Village, Tauranga). His voice was simply amazing.
And she was absolutely gorgeous - so sensitive, so graceful… she danced to his voice while he told stories about life, so honest and heartfelt. The concert seemed to fly by too quickly… but the impressions it left? Oh yes… unforgettable.
A truly beautiful performance."
Yulia - Blogger, Tauranga Historic Village
