Sydney Theatre Company and Allens Arthur Robinson in association with Bangarra Dance Theatre present
Bloodland
Concept by Stephen Page
Story by Kathy Marika, Stephen Page and Wayne Blair
Written by Wayne Blair

In an expanse of red dust, pounded by the hot Arnhem Land sun, a telegraph pole protrudes from the earth; a symbol of the scar that the modern world has left on an ancient community. This is Cherish’s place. This is where she hides away from the real world, speaks to imagined friends and is visited by the ghosts of relatives long dead.

On a day like any other the sound of a mobile phone singing out cuts through the thick dusty air, interrupting the young woman’s solitude. As she calmly claws for the phone in the dirt, Cherish unearths the body of a dead boy.

Outsider Cherish will be our guide through a community torn in two, divided by moiety. At the centre of the story she will tell us is a young couple: two star-crossed lovers united in their devotion but separated by blood. Theirs is a tale of social dysfunction, black on black conflict and the difficulties of observing traditional lore in a community permeated by western culture.

Moving between Indigenous language and Pidgin English, this will be a totally unique theatrical experience in the intimate Wharf Theatre. ‘The language of this production is not restricted to the verbal,’ Page explains. ‘Bloodland will incorporate spiritual and physical languages, ceremonial traditional dances and mimicry of modern western culture, filtered through aboriginal tradition.’

Page and Blair are collaborating with a cast of both traditional Yolgnu people and wellknown actors, to compose a new Australian work that dramatises the bitter tug-of-war taking place in a community which, despite being wracked by pain and division, hums with hope.

WHARF 1
Schools Day Wed 19 October
Pre-show Intro 10:30am, 45 minutes
Performance 12:15pm
Duration 1 Hours 40 Minutes, no interval
Post-show Q&A immediately following, 15 minutes

Content Strong adult themes, occasional course language and mild violence

Suits Years 9 - 12

Cost $21/student

Curriculum Links: 
Drama - Aboriginal performance, Inter-cultural drama and theatre, Physical Theatre/Movement, Tragedy

English - Aboriginal experiences in Australia, Australian literature, Cultural heritage, Experience through language: Distinctive voices & Australian voices

Aboriginal Studies - Aboriginal performing arts, Aboriginal oral expression, Aboriginal identities, Aboriginal autonomy, Aboriginality and the land, Heritage and identity

Music - Australian music, Music of a culture, Music and the related arts, Theatre music

History - Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples

Dance - Indigenous Australian dance - dance appreciation

Cross-curriculum - Aboriginal and Indigenous

Resources:  Comprehensive student and teacher resources provide