'Welcome to Narungga Country. You’ve been warned.
'Guuranda is a monumental new theatre work telling the Narungga Creation stories of South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula from Narungga/Kaurna theatre-maker Jacob Boehme.
'Commissioned by Adelaide Festival, Guuranda has been created by a collective of First Nations artists, Narungga Elders and non-Indigenous artists. It is written and directed by Jacob Boehme with artwork by Narungga visual artist Kylie O’Loughlin and sung by Narungga songwoman Sonya Rankine and songman Warren Milera, supported by the Narungga Family Choir.
'Taking its title from the Narungga language name for the Yorke Peninsula, Guuranda tells of a people and place that teach us about being human, drawing on history to speak into the present. These ancient stories are not myths, nor are they old, quaint tales. These stories are vital, violent, delightful and dangerous. They are stories to charm, shock and instruct audiences of all ages.
'Effortlessly weaving together theatre, song, puppetry, dance and visual art, Guuranda shares stories that offer insight and balance, with chaos and death ever-present. You must look, listen and tread carefully.'
Source: Adelaide Festival.
Commissioned by Adelaide Festival and presented by Adelaide Festival at Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, 29 February - 3 March 2024.
Artistic Director and Choreographer: Jacob Boehme.
Narungga Elders / Dramaturges / cultural consultants: Aunty Lynette Newchurch, Aunty Deanna Newchurc,h Uncle Rex Angie, Uncle Edward Newchurch.
Senior Consulting Elders: Uncle Lewis O’Brien, Aunty Pauline O’Brien, Aunty Lynette Crocker, and Uncle Kevin ‘Dookie’ O’Loughlin.
Narungga Songman/Songwoman: Warren Milera and Sonya Rankine.
Associate-Choreographers & Performers: Caleena Sansbury, Cheeky Chandler, Edan Porter, Jada Narkle, Jordan O’Davis, Luke Currie Richardson, Shana O’Brien, and Zoe Brown Holton.
Narungga Song Woman & Translator: Sonya Rankine.
Translator: Tanya Wanganeen.
Dramaturge: Chris Mead.
Visual Artist: Kylie O’Loughlin.
Composer: James Henry.
Staging & Lighting Designer: Jenny Hector.
Audio-Visual Designer: Keith Deverell.
Costume Designer: Kathryn Sproul.
Puppet Designer & Maker: Philip Millar.
Leatherworker: Sue Manski.
Narungga Family Choir Director & Vocal Coach: Grace Robinson.
Narungga Family Choir Facilitator: Jessica Vangelista
Narungga Family Choir Audio Engineer: Patrick Telfer.
Choir Performers: Richard ‘Shaggy’ Brown, Damien Brown, Jacob Brown, Anja Cruse, Jacynta Lehtinen, Luke Picone, Natalie Pocervina, Kelly Rossi, Jodie Seiuli, Faith Seiuli, Kayla Seiuli, Christian Seiuli, Alyssa Siale, Elke Smirl, Tegan Smirl, Markeeta Smith, Jaimie Taunoa, Paulie Taunoa, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Rua Taunoa, Taree Taunoaa, KC Taunoa, Jessica Vangelista, Isabella Vangelista, Kaarl Waldorp, and Jacob Boehme.
Guitar: Gary Watling.
Percussion: Alexander Meagher.
Drumkit: Chris Lewis.
Tenor Trombone & Bass Trombone: Adrian Sherriff.
Trumpet: Eugene Ball.
French Horn: Cinzia Posega.