Black Cockatoo
Written by Geoffrey Atherden
Directed by Wesley Enoch
A new Australian play inspired by the true story of legendary First Nations cricketer Johnny Mullagh and Australia’s first ever international sporting team. But this is not just about cricket, this is a compelling story of strength, resistance, hope and possibility directed by Wesley Enoch and featuring a stellar cast.
''A sincere and tender proclamation, paying tribute to Indigenous identities past and present"
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 a story of strength, resistance, hope and possibility. When a group of young present-day activists sneaks 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 collaboration between iconic Australian writer Geoffrey Atherden (Mother and Son, Babakiujera) and Sydney Festival Artistic Director Wesley Enoch (Black Diggers).
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Australian Cricket is full of characters and stories. Few would know about the first-ever Australian team to tour to England; that it was made up of 13 Aboriginal cricketers from Western Victoria, that one player died and was buried in London or that Johnny Mullagh was our first Australian sporting hero. Telling neglected stories is what theatre does well.
The decision to have an all-Indigenous cast, where the actors play all roles including white English characters, is a way of owning the whole story and providing a commentary on race politics. Actors switch seamlessly from actors today, Aboriginal characters in 2018, and a range of characters in 1868. Time and place are fluid as we connect the past, present, and future to tell this story.
Wesley Enoch
REVIEWS
"This amazing Australian story rings with authenticity, humour and quirky compassion"
★★★★ Stage Noise
"A vibrant, fascinating and challenging production"
★★★★ Artshub
"Commendably and sensitively asks difficult questions... entertaining and informative"
Audrey Journal
"Ripe with emotion, wit, and reflection"
★★★★ State of the Art
"A wonderful balance of educating and entertaining... hard hitting honesty and delightful comedy"
Broadway World
TOURING IN 2022
Theatre Royal Hobart, TAS | Land of the Muwinina people
10 + 11 March | BOOK
Frankston Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Bunurong people
15 March | BOOK
Clocktower Centre Moonee Ponds, VIC | Land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people
17 March | BOOK
Bunjl Place Narre Warren, VIC | Land of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung & Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples
19 March | BOOK
Geelong Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Wathaurong (Wadawarrung) people
22,23,24,25 & 26 March | BOOK
Ulumbarra Theatre, VIC | Land of the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Taungurung peoples
29 March | BOOK
Horsham Town Hall Theatre, VIC | Land of the Wotjobaluk, Jupagalk, Jaadwa and Jadawadjali people
31 March | BOOK
Johnny Mullagh Reserve Harrow, VIC | Land of the Wotjobaluk and Gunditjmara people
2 April | BOOK
Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre, VIC | Land of the Bpangerang people
5 April | BOOK
Logan Entertainment Centre, QLD | Land of the Yugambeh people
7 April | BOOK
Brisbane Powerhouse, QLD | Land of the Turrbal and Jagera people
8 + 9 April | BOOK
HOTA, QLD | Land of the Yugambeh people
12 April | BOOK
Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, QLD | Land of the Yuiberra people
14 April | BOOK
Pilbeam Theatre Rockhampton, QLD | Land of the Darumbal people
20 April | BOOK
Glasshouse Theatre Port Macquarie, NSW | Land of the Birpai people
23 April | BOOK
Capitol Theatre Tamworth, NSW | Land of the Gamilaraay people
26 April | BOOK
Orange Civic Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri people
28 April | BOOK
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri people
30 April | BOOK
Griffith Regional Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri people
3 May | BOOK
Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, NSW | Land of the Gundungurra people
5 May | BOOK
Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, NSW | Land of the Wonnarua people
7 May | BOOK
Glen Street Theatre Belrose, NSW | Land of the Gadigal people
11-15 May | BOOK
The Art House Wyong, NSW | Land of the Darkinjung people
18+19 May | BOOK
Civic Theatre Newcastle, NSW | Land of the Awabakal and Worimi people
21+22 May | BOOK
Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri people
25 May | BOOK
Zenith Theatre Chatswood, NSW | Land of the Cammeraygal people
31 May | BOOK
Previous Tour
March - May 2022
CREDITS
Director Wesley Enoch
(Noonuccal Nuugi)
Playwright Geoffrey Atherden
Associate Director Yolande Brown
(Bidjara Clan)
Cultural Consultant
Uncle Richard Kennedy
(Wotjobalulk traditional owner and descendent of First XI Team member, Dik-A-Dik)
Set and Costume Designer Richard Roberts
Lighting Designer Trent Suidgeest
Composer and Sound Designer
Steve Francis
Dramaturg Jane Fitzgerald
Stage Manager Michelle Sverdloff
Assistant Stage Manager Fiona Lloyd Harding
Touring Production Manager Jason Thelwell
Costume Supervisor Sara Kolijn
Cast Joseph Althouse (Wunujaka), Phoebe Grainer (TBC), Mema Munro (Marriamu), Mark Nannup (Yamaji/Noongar), Kyle Shilling (TBC) & Colin Smith (Jagera)
If you are interested in touring get in contact!
Arts on Tour
02 8038 1880
touring@artsontour.com.au
Arts on Tour is based in Redfern NSW and we respectfully acknowledge the Gadigal people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the unceded land on which we work.
As we tour artists and productions across these vast lands, we pay our respect to all First Nations Elders, past, present and future.
We celebrate their continuing connection and contribution to culture, country and community, and thank all First Nations peoples for their wisdom in caring for the land, the sky, the rivers and the sea.