Big Name, No Blankets | Andrea James with Anyupa Butcher & Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher
Each of the actors presented a compelling portrayal of the members of the band. Baykali Ganambarr’s Sammy was humble, modest, honest and a great narrator of the story. Definte highlights included the fantastic vocals and performances by Cassandra Williams (Suzina, Mum & Ensemble), and the superb stage presence and singing by Taj Pigram, as the Warumpi Band frontman.
The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace | Grace Lillian Lee
Each set of armour and shield represents one of Grace’s relatives, creating a physical family tree of woven sculptures. The individualised detail and numerous differences (both subtle and obvious) in each relative’s manifested representations indicates a considered and thoughtful approach to the work. The artworks seem to breathe the life story and memories of their namesakes, and while inspecting the work I could almost see the emotion poured into each stitch and weave.
Meet Your Maker | Alethea Beetson & Blak Social
Captivating and clever in its rendition, Ken Weston’s video design skills are certainly praiseworthy. Beetson’s one-woman performance doesn’t miss a beat as she sings, dances, plays instruments and interacts with these high calibre videos that unfold sequentially across the dominant screen. Her interaction with each is truly commendable and authentic in its fast-paced delivery and simultaneously, convincing enough to blur the boundary of video versus Beetson’s on-stage presence.
Straight from the Strait | Opera Queensland, Yumpla Nerkep Foundation and QPAC
Straight from the Strait is a joyful unfolding of a History lesson taking off on the pulsating wings of soulful songs and reverberating through stamping feet carrying ancestral rhythms and wisdoms. It held me captive from the get-go and set my spirit free by the end of the night.
Horizon | Bangarra Dance Theatre
If you are new to Bangarra’s work, then Horizon is for you. If you are looking for a memorable creative and cultural experience, then Horizon is for you. If you want to admire exceptional cutting-edge contemporary dance, with great music, lighting and costumes … Horizon is also for you. angarra’s Horizon is an unmissable experience.
37: The play that exposes the dark underbelly of Footy
This is an excellent show par none that can be enjoyed by both arts and footy lovers. By including the vessels of sportsmanship, authenticity, integrity and an outstanding dialogue, this quality production aptly conveys the community spirit, thrilling energy and intense physicality of this much loved and popular sport. The talented ensemble tackles the deep themes that writer Nathan Maynard covers in this play with humour, energy and a whole lot of heart particularly when the top dogs are pitted against the underdogs.
The Bigger Picture | Sachém, featuring Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra.
With the colourful ensemble of Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra providing a sonically vibrant depth to Sachém’s poetic innovation from his 2021 debut EP Part of the Picture, The Bigger Picture is explosive but not unstable, complex yet entirely focused, and expansive without ever being overwhelming. Altogether, the experience is simultaneously the manifestation of the incredible skill and ambition of one man while also being an unreservedly proud celebration of a rich, inclusive community.
Down the Rabbit Hole | Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts
Accompanied by a catchy, upbeat original musical score, the stark reality of dealing with mental health issues was laid bare. As they worked their way through their group therapy session with Dr Hatter, the characters’ myriad mental health issues are revealed through incorporating catchy dance numbers and engaging singing.
Shakespeare's Othello | Queensland Theatre
On the night of my attendance, it was interesting to note the array of ages in the audience, many of whom could have been in my very own children's age category. Methinks a testament to the enduring nature of Shakespeare’s works? Impressive to note was the resounding applause, standing ovation and numerous curtain calls. Again methinks a testament to the enduring nature of Shakespeare’s works!
Queen's City | Blak Social
Alethea [Beetson] has taken a refreshing approach to telling First Nations stories and has turned that singular, unbalanced narrative into a fierce, honest and sometimes searing commentary on how to move forward by showing us how to look back. The trauma and pain of our First Nations people is an indelible stain on the history of Australia. Queen’s City is an ideal example of a theatre production that can create awareness through its storytelling so that we can move forward and together as a nation (hopefully).
BlakWarehouse Party | Blak Social & Brisbane Serenades, Brisbane Festival
I was blown away by the music I was lucky enough to experience. Dameeeela, DJ Kritty, Sovblkpssy, and DJ PGZ provided the music, their tracklists were all unique, but all highlighted the best First Nations artists around the country with unique styles and remixes. Brisbane's First Nations dance music scene is deadly, and I am inspired to seek out more.
Face to Face | Emily Wells & Playlab Theatre
Growing up in an Indigenous community, many of the issues that impact our mob happen so frequently that I personally found and still find it difficult to properly process a lot of the grief and my own trauma. Sitting in the crowd and watching the characters speak gave me some time to truly reflect and allowed me to be vulnerable as they expressed their own vulnerability.
Restless Dream | Bob Weatherall, Halfway, Digi Youth Arts & Alethea Beetson
It’s through Uncle Bob Weatherall where the reality hits that we are experiencing more than art and performance - it’s truth telling performed with rawness and honesty. Restless Dream tells the real-life journey of Uncle Bob’s efforts of repatriation and bringing back the ancestral remains of those who have died to be buried back on their country, back to Kamilaroi. Bringing peace and ensuring a real passing can happen.
Auntie's Fiafia Night | Casus Circus
Imagine two powerful women with vibrant flower covered moomoos, fanning themselves with woven fans, and big palm leaf plant beside them, laughing and gesturing as the performers take turns trying to earn a smile from them all night long. This shows just how respected elders and women are in Pasifika culture and that was an amazing take away for those who may not be of that background/culture.
Demolition | Polytoxic
When arriving at my seat a wave of proud brown girl joy makes its way through my spirit as the demolition work site sets the scene for what is going to be one of the most memorable shows that I've witnessed. I was about to undergo a unravelling of identity and I was more than ready!
Demolition | Polytoxic
The importance of solidarity really stuck with me and I felt like I was being shown an inclusive version of sisterhood that I could really relate to. This was no highly sanitised mainstream girlboss sisterhood, but the kind of solidarity that can be difficult and gritty and requires you to show up for other people and do the work.
Demolition | Polytoxic
Polytoxic’s show Demolition is not only a staggering showcasing of Circus and Theatre, it is a moving and uplifting Call-To-Arms. The effortless shift of scenes drew my senses in and catapulted me from issue to issue that many women in this world face on a daily basis.
Demolition | Polytoxic
This work left me feeling seen on so many levels - as a Queer non-binary person struggling to fit the status quo, as a Maori woman who wasn’t raised on her Marae or Ancestral lands, as a Mother realising the importance of embracing culture for your children’s future, as a woman being surrounded by the constant pressures of living up to the patriarchal structure and never feeling good enough. I felt uplifted, hopeful, powerful and full of rage.
First Nations Fashion: Walking in Two Worlds | Grace Lillian Lee
Ultimately, First Nations Fashion: Walking in Two Worlds succeeds in creating something that stirs emotions, restores power, speaks truth, celebrates culture while displaying First Nations fashion labels. It decolonises an industry that is ripe with racism, classism, and sexism, and replaces it with a sense of hope and harmony.
Weredingo | Karul Projects
“Are you coming as a human or as an animal tonight?” a well-dressed guy asked us as we descended into New Benner Theatre at Metro Arts on Saturday night. “Animal!” I said without giving myself the time to process the question.