OODGEROO - BLOODLINE TO COUNTRY Premieres At Roundhouse Theatre 6/30-7/11

A La Boite Theatre Company Commission and World Premiere for the 150th anniversary of the State of Queensland.

OODGEROO - BLOODLINE TO COUNTRY by Sam Watson

Season: 30 June - 11 July 2009

In November 1974, a BOAC aircraft was hijacked in Dubai by Palestinian terrorists. The aircraft was flown to Tunisia and held on the tarmac for three days. Kath Walker, member of the steering committee for the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture meeting in Nigeria, was on that plane.

Walker pleaded with the hijackers on behalf of the passengers, particularly a German banker who had been targeted for execution. Despite Walker's efforts, the German was shot and his body dumped on the tarmac. This traumatic event, and her regret at her inability to save the man's life, stayed with Kath Walker throughout her life.

Oodgeroo's way was negotiation, but her son's was armed struggle. In Brisbane in 1971, Denis Walker co-founded the Australian Black Panthers, based on the radical and often violent American civil rights organisation. Sam Watson, author of this play, was his co-founder.

This new production, created with the involvement of Oodgeroo's family, weaves her personal and cultural life with her time on the Tunisian tarmac to tell the previously untold story of the tensions that tore at the fabric of one of Australia's most prominent families.

She was Oodgeroo, Custodian of Minjerribah and senior lore woman of the Noonuccal people. She was Kath Walker, acclaimed poet and activist. She was mother to her two sons.

This unique production, created with the blessing of Oodgeroo's family, chronicles her love of country and her lifetime calling to honour her family and culture. It is also the story of the struggle for the restoration of Indigenous identity.

Through the long and often bitter fight, Oodgeroo's words and deeds proved a beacon of hope for both black and white people.

This project was initially developed in collaboration with Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts and is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, Department of Education, Training and the Arts, and the office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and the Department of Communities. Oodgeroo is also supported by the Australia Council, the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body, through its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board and its Community Partnerships Section.

About this world premiere production:

Director: Sean Mee
Designer: Helen Jacobs
Lighting Designer: Jason Organ
Sound Designer / Composer: Phil Slade
Dramaturg: Ian Brown & Janis Balodis
Featuring: Jonathan Brand, Darren Brady, Simon Hapea, RoxAnne McDonald, Rhonda Purcell and Emma Pursey.

BOOK NOW: laboite.com.au or 3007 8600

Season: 30 June - 11 July
Venue: Roundhouse Theatre, Musk Ave. Kelvin Grove Urban Village
Show Times: Mon, Tues & Wed 6.30pm, Thurs-Sat 8pm
Matinee: 11 July 2pm
After Show Discussion: 10 July
Prices: From $20

WARNING: this production contains high level, infrequent coarse language; high level, infrequent adult themes and medium level violence.

Click for more information about OODGEROO NOONUCCAL...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kath_Walker

 

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