Arts Centre Melbourne to Present BLACK DIGGERS, 22-25 April

Over one hundred years ago, a bullet from an assassin's gun in Sarajevo sparked a war that ignited the globe. Patriotic young men from all over lined up to join the fight - patriots who included hundreds of Indigenous Australians.

Black Diggers is the story of these men - a story of honour and sacrifice that has been neglected and almost forgotten. Despite being unrecognised and oppressed, unable even to vote in their home country (Indigenous men also had to hide their heritage to enlist) they took up arms to defend the free world, defending a culture that had provided them little reason to love it. Indeed, facing the horror of war on a Gallipoli beach provided an escape from the shackles of racism at home. However, at the war's conclusion when the survivors returned they received no heroes' welcome - instead they were recipients only of the harsh reality of drudgery and injustice.

Grand in scale and scope, this meticulously researched production draws from in-depth interviews with the families of black Diggers who heard the call to arms from all over Australia. This April, these young men will step from the blank pages of history and after the curtain falls, they will finally be remembered. Black Diggers is an essential story to contribute to the ANZAC Centenary. It provides a penetrating and honest exploration of Australian culture, finally shining a light on the very real sacrifices that were made by these men.

Based on extensive research conducted by Dr David Williams, director Wesley Enoch and playwright Tom Wright, an exhibition around the stories that formed the basis for the script of Black Diggers will also be presented at the Arts Centre's Smorgon Plaza from 20 April to 17 May. The exhibition will relate stories from Indigenous Diggers from all over Australia, but will highlight in particular some extraordinary stories from Victorian Indigenous servicemen, such as that of the five Lovett brothers who served in WW1.

BOOKING DETAILS
Arts Centre Melbourne presents
BLACK DIGGERS
22 - 25 April, Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne
Tickets from $30** (additional fees and charges may apply)
TO BOOK: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au