ON THIS WEEK!

Theatre Royal presents Black Cockatoo
Directed by Wesley Enoch
Written by Geoffrey Atherdeen

About Black Cockatoo

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.

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)

Director’s Note

“Visiting the community of Harrow and talking to descendants of the First XI was a huge honour. These men of the First XI, who travelled across the globe to be the first ever international touring sporting group in the world, opened a path not just for themselves and their families but established a story of sport and Aboriginal advancement that would continue for the next 150 years. Black Cockatoo tells a story that should be part of the national storytelling. Everyone should know this story. It’s about our great national obsession and our great national neglect.” – Director Wesley Enoch

Black Cockatoo
When: Two performances, Thurs 10 March 7:30pm and Fri 11 March 7:30pm
Where: Theatre Royal Main Stage Tickets: Available from theatreroyal.com.au. Prices from $50-$85

For more information and press enquiries please contact: MEDIA & VENUE CONTACT: Dale Tresidder, Marketing Manager, Theatre Royal – 0449 574 496, dale@theatreroyal.com.au

Videos for reference

Black Cockatoo | 4 Jan - 8 Feb - YouTube
BLACK COCKATOO | Director Wesley Enoch discusses the play - YouTube
Website reference theatreroyal.com.au/shows/black-cockatoo

CREATIVE TEAM
Playwright: Geoffrey Atherden
Director: Wesley Enoch ( Noonuccal Nuugi)
Associate Director: Yolande Brown (Bidjara Clan of Kunja Nation)
Cultural Consultant: Uncle Richard Kennedy (WotjobalukTraditional Owner and Descendant of First XI Team Member Dick - a - Dick)
Set and Costume Designer: Richard Roberts
Lighting Designer: Trent Suidgeet
Composer and Sound Designer: Steve Francis
Dramaturg: Jane Fitzgerald
Assistant Stage Manager: Vanessa Martin
Costume Supervisor: Sara Kolijn
Associate Lighting Designer: Shiloh Jarrett (Gumbyngirr/Anmatjere)
Sound Design Intern: Tim Gray
Image credit: Christian Trinder
Cast: Joseph Althouse (Wunujaka),Phoebe Grainer (Djungan), Mark Nannup (Yamaji/Noongar), Colin Smith (Jagera), Kyle Shilling, Mema Munro (Marriamu)