Merrigon Theater Company will present julunggunganga [Straight Talk] Held at the Illawarra Performing Arts Center from 29 to 31 August.
throbbing with sadness, anger, joy and defiance, julunggunganga [Straight Talk] is a powerful and provocative new dance, sound and installation work that questions Australia’s ability to lock down and isolate the very things we fear.
julunggunganga [Straight Talk] Confronting Australia’s shameful obsession with incarceration, linking the appalling levels of Aboriginal incarceration to the indefinite detention of asylum seekers. The talented dancers draw on cultural and community experiences to nimbly move between horror, truth-telling and physical resistance.
In planning this production for Merrigong’s 2024 season, Merrigong Theater Company Artistic Director/CEO Simon Hinton said: “julengunga [Straight Talk] is one of the most extraordinary contemporary dance and physical theater productions produced in Australia in the past few years. I was absolutely blown away when I saw its first season at the Sydney Arts Festival and thought it was important for Wollongong audiences to see such a brilliant piece of work that spoke so clearly about the history of our history A vital question at this moment. The incredible cross-cultural creative process that underpins this piece means that its voice is not just that of an Aboriginal artist, or indeed any particular group, but speaks to the experience of incarceration in all its forms across Australian society and tragedy. Despite its serious subject matter, the work is engaging, entertaining, even humorous at times, and surprisingly original.
julunggunganga Inspired by Yauru leader Patrick Dodson, Iranian-Australian academic and activist Omid Tofijian and Kurdish-Iranian writer and former Manus Island detainee Behruz Bouchani Perspectives on incarceration shared with Malugcu.
Designed by renowned Western Australian visual artist Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, this mesmerizing multimedia dance drama combines movement, spoken word, installation and powerful musical soundscapes to ask: Who is really being held captive here?
Rachael Swain, Co-Artistic Director of Marrugeku said: “julunggunganga Drawing attention to the creation of dehumanizing spaces in Australia without due legal process and necessary social support and respect. The show reveals how unique conversations between Aboriginal, settler and refugee perspectives address the pressing issues of our time, investigating Australia’s desire to isolate and blockade.
Marrugeku Co-Artistic Director Dalisa Pigram said: “Marrugeku is committed to bringing every piece we produce to regional communities. In order to address the current complex issues we face together in this country, we know how important it is to host shows like this julunggunganga Share our cultural and artistic perspectives on asking questions about incarceration.
Searing truth blends with dark humor, fear, grief, and courage to illuminate new ways of resistance and abolition. Brutal and beautiful, it will capture the viewer’s attention, leaving them afraid to look away and dream of the day they will know unity in difference.
julunggunganga [Straight Talk] It will be performed at the Illawarra Performing Arts Center IMB Theater from August 29 to 31. To book, please visit merrigong.com.au/shows/jurrungu-ngan-ga-straight-talk.
