CORANDERRK: WE WILL SHOW THE COUNTRY

“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.” – Australian Stage
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.
ILBIJERRI acknowledges the support of the Australian Research Council and the Minutes of Evidence Project (LP110200054).
MORE INFO: ILBIJERRI Theatre Company info@ilbijerri.trueserver.com.au

TRAILER
REVIEWS
“The story is painful and hopeful… one of the most moving moments of theatre this year” – Anne-Marie Peard, Aussie Theatre [Read More]
“Make sure you see it – and take the program home to read again later; a visit to Healesville will never be the same again” – Jane Canaway, Australian Stage [Read More]
‘Dark tale of mission accomplished’, The Age, 2012 [Read More]
CREATIVE TEAM
Performers Syd Brisbane, Jim Daly, Peter Finlay, Greg Fryer, Liz Jones, Tom Long, Kelton Pell, Melodie Reynolds & Jason Tamiru
Concept Giordano Nanni
Director Isaac Drandic
Dramaturge Rachael Maza
Adaption Andrea James & Giordano Nanni
Set Designer Darryl Cordell
Costume Designer Emily Barrie
Audio Visual Designer Peter Worland
Sound Designer Ben Grant
Technical Director & Lighting Designer Bluebottle/Frog Peck
Stage Manager Jessica Smithett
PRODUCTION HISTORY
11 to 12 February 2012 – Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival, BMW Edge, Federation Square
16 to 27 November 2011 – La Mama Courthouse Theatre, Melbourne
7 May 2011 – Sanctuary House, Healesville
6 May 2011 – Melba Hall, University of Melbourne
13 to 15 August 2010 – La Mama Courthouse