THIS IS A STORY OF STRENGTH, RESISTANCE, HOPE AND POSSIBILITY
Over 150 years ago, 13 brave Aboriginal men in Western Victoria picked up their cricket bats and embarked on a treacherous voyage to England and into the unknown – all in the name of sport. Risking illness and persecution, Australia’s first international cricket team – including Australia’s first Indigenous sporting hero, Johnny Mullagh – amazed the English crowds with astonishing talent, personality and grit. They should have returned to Australia as celebrated heroes. Instead they came back to find the world they once knew was no longer there.
Inspirational story of Australia’s First XI
This is not just a story about cricket – this is story of strength, resistance, hope and possibility. When a group of young present-day activists sneak into the Wimmera Discovery Centre to expose the truth of what happened to Johnny and his team mates, a hidden legend of triumph and tragedy unfolds. Funny and incredibly moving, Black Cockatoo is a new artistic collaboration between iconic Australian writer Geoffrey Atherden (Mother and Son, Babakiueria) and former Sydney Festival Artistic Director Wesley Enoch (Black Diggers).
Recommended age 12yrs+.
Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences are advised that this show contains depictions of people who have died.
CAST INCLUDES
Joseph Althouse (Wunujaka)
Colin Smith (Jagera)
Mema Munro (Marriamu)
Mark Nannup (Yamaji/Noongar)
PLAYWRIGHT
Geoffrey Atherden
DIRECTOR
Wesley Enoch (Noonuccal Nuugi)
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Yolande Brown (Bidjara Clan)
CULTURAL CONSULTANT
Uncle Richard Kennedy (Wotjobaluk Traditional Owner
and Descendant of First XI Team Member, Dik-a-Dik)
SET & COSTUME DESIGNER
Richard Roberts
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Trent Suidgeest
COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER
Steve Francis
DRAMATURG
Jane Fitzgerald