“With lessons to be learnt at so many levels – historical, social, language and geographical – this play should be compulsory reading in high schools across Australia.”– Jane Canaway, Australian Stage
“…a swift and absorbing ensemble performance, resurrecting a historical episode that holds lessons relevant today. 4 stars.” – Cameron Woodhead, The Age
VICTORIA, 1881: the men and women of the ‘Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve’ take on the Board for the Protection of Aborigines in a fight for justice, dignity and self-determination. For the first time, we bring back to life Coranderrk’s voices – both black and white – through a theatrical re-enactment of their official testimonies before the 1881 Government Inquiry into Coranderrk.
CORANDERRK: We Will Show the Country unites the power of oral history and the authority of the written-word to forge a personal connection with the voices of the past; allowing key figures such as William Barak and several of the men and women of Coranderrk to speak directly to a contemporary audience.
Not a story of “black vs white”, CORANDERRK pays tribute to the resilience and adaptability of a people who rose to the challenge despite all odds, appropriating the power of the written word and white political discourse to make their voice loud and clear; whilst also celebrating the spirit of friendship, and the power of genuine collaboration, between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
Performers: Syd Brisbane, Uncle Jack Charles, Jim Daly, Peter Finlay, Greg Fryer, Liz Jones, Tom Long, Melodie Reynolds and Glenn Shea.
Concept – Giordano Nanni
Director – Isaac Drandic
Adapted by – Andrea James and Giordano Nanni
Lighting Designer and Production Manager – Bronwyn Pringle
Set Designer – Darryl Cordell
Costume Designer – Emily Barrie
Audio Visual Designer – Peter Worland
Sound Designer – Ben Grant
Devisor and Researcher – Giordano Nanni
Production Manager – Bronwyn Pringle
Stage Manager – Jessica Smithett
Photography by Steven Rhall
Graphic Design by Matthew Harrod, HOBO
REVIEW: Aussie Theatre by Anne-Marie Peard
REVIEW: Australian Stage by Jane Canaway
FEATURE ARTICLE: The Age by Robin Usher
CORANDERRK lies at the heart of the Minutes of Evidence Project, a collaboration between leading Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, researchers, education experts and Community members, which aims to encourage a shared understanding of the past between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, by bringing the history and stories of CORANDERRK to high-school students, teachers and researchers, as well as to the general public.
Supported by the Australian Research Council, The Minutes of Evidence Project is a partnership between ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, La Mama Theatre, The University of Melbourne, The Koorie Heritage Trust, VicHealth’s Arts About Us program, The Department of Education, Arts Victoria, Regional Arts Victoria, The State Library of Victoria, and the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc (VAEAI).
Original seasons of CORANDERRK at La Mama, Melbourne University and Healesville Sanctuary directed by Rachael Maza in 2010.
ILBIJERRI and the Minutes of Evidence Project are preparing a regional tour of CORANDERRK: WE WILL SHOW THE COUNTRY to Victorian secondary schools in 2013/14, and developing associated curriculum modules that will assist teachers and students in engaging with the history and voices of Aboriginal Victoria. Schools interested in participating in the next phase of the project are invited to register.
email: info@ilbijerri.com.au
