Two incredibly personal stories and two wonderful storytellers combine in one show. Joel and Tom share stories of their ancestors that resonate with their own sense of identity and connect with a greater understanding of our place in the world.

Stardust tells the story of bandleader and trumpet player Col Brain. Before he died, Col placed his most prized life possessions into a cupboard and locked it up, never to be opened again. But what was inside? Told by his grandson, award-winning ABC presenter and performer, Joel Carnegie, Stardust is a heart-warming musical quest to uncover what Col wanted us to know about his life by the things he left behind.

The Mission follows “Fighting Gunditjmara” man Allan McDonald off to war. As one of the first Aboriginal soldiers from Victoria to enlist, Allan fought at Gallipoli and Beersheba, only to be denied a soldier’s settlement upon return and forced from his traditional land. Told by his great, great nephew, acclaimed Gunditjmara actor Tom Molyneux, The Mission tells the truth of Uncle Allan’s struggle - fighting for Country, for love, and for justice.

Experience this award-winning double bill at Theatre Royal in June and meet two ordinary individuals, whose extraordinary lives still reverberate to this day.

Producer: Joel Carnegie

Director: Daniel Lammin

Composer: Nadie Noordhuis

Dramaturg: James Jackson

Lighting + Spatial Designer: Bronwyn Pringle

Sound Designer: Justin Gardam

Image credit: Sarah Walker