Cirrus@Austlit

'From the remote Australian desert to the opulence of Buckingham Palace – this is the iconic story of the Namatjira family, tracing their quest for justice.

'Albert Namatjira was a man caught between cultures – paraded as a great Australian, whilst treated with contempt. He was the first Indigenous person to be made a citizen by the Australian Government. The founder of the Indigenous art movement in Australia, his artworks gave many Australians their first glimpses into the outback heart of the country. He was widely celebrated, exhibited globally, and introduced to Queen Elizabeth.

'In 1957 he was imprisoned for something he didn’t do, and in 1959 he died, a broken man. In 1983 the Government sold the copyright to his artworks to an art dealer. Today his family fight for survival, justice and to regain their grandfather’s copyright.

'This is one of Australia’s most potent stories – illuminating the relationship between Indigenous and nonIndigenous people today, in Australia and globally.' (Production summary)

'Big hART’s latest production Tjaabi provides a unique glimpse into the living Aboriginal culture of the Pilbara, through songs, story and image performed by Ngarluma man Patrick Churnside. Tjaabi springs from a long-term intercultural exchange, between different language groups – young and old, indigenous and non-indigenous, in Roebourne, the heart of the Pilbara, Western Australia.'

'The performance of Tjaabi has been created specifically for the community and will be a unique experience, in situ, once only under the stars, for those who know and love these songs. This showing, written and staged inclusively with Patrick, involves young people from the community dancing with him on stage, elders in translation of songs, on film and surrounding the stage in support. ...' (Source: Yijala Yala website)

'In the year 2076, the fate of humanity rests in the hands of 21 young warriors known as The Love Punks and The Satellite Sisters.

'Follow them as they blast off from Australia’s Pilbara desert to the far reaches of space on a mission to protect the world from an angry sky god.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

The story is based on true events from the author's Troy Eaton's life, exploring the cultural and spiritual connection between himself, his Nanna, an echidna and his country.

'Although Ngurrara is an original ‘fictionalised history’, it is based on real stories from a very real place. Ngurrara means ‘belonging to country home’ in the Ngarluma language. The Ngarluma people are the traditional owners of Murujuga, also known as the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia where the story is set. Murujuga is home to approximately one million petroglyphs (rock carvings), some of which are more than 30,000 years old. This story is about the Ngarluma people and their continued connection to their country over thousands of years.' (Source: Yijala Yala Project website)

'The grand finale is here! Episode 3: Porkchop Plots. When a gigantic tourist spaceship called 'The Mena Ironheart’ sets course for a sacred constellation, little do they know they’re flying towards imminent danger. Can the Love Punks and the Satellite Sisters steer them away from intergalactic catastrophe and save the day?' (Publisher's blurb)

'Episode 2: 'The Last Crystal'', introduces the Satellite Sisters, a young group of gravity defying girls whose job it is to watch over earth from space. We also meet a mysterious god, the Murujuga Rangers and Nana Tootie, who are all helping to steer the Love Punks out of more trouble. ' (Publisher's blurb)

'In the year 2076, the fate of humanity rests in the hands of fourteen young warriors known as The Love Punks. When a rocket booster crashes into their community branded with a mysterious petroglyph, its discovery leads the Love Punks on an epic journey across the cosmos, complete with spy bots, pranks and magic crystals.' (Publisher's blurb)

'Neomad is a fictional fantasy based on real characters, places and stories that connect the people to their country and aims to bring attention to the rich Indigenous cultural resources of the Pilbara in Western Australia, equally as rich as the vast mineral resources of the area. As part of the Yijala Yala Project, a group of 30 young people from the Ieramugadu (Roebourne) in the Pilbara have been collaborating with Sutu, creator of the multi-award winning NAWLZ interactive comic series.

Published in collaboration with Big hART.' (Publisher's blurb)

''Hipbone Sticking Out' spins the globe upside down and sets its teeth rattling to the tune of The Clash, The Stranglers, Britney Spears, sea shanties and traditional songs of the Pilbara in glorious six part harmony. Clothed in hi-viz work wear and set against the backdrop of Murujuga – the world’s largest outdoor rock art gallery - a stellar cast creates a tour de force story beginning in 1602 that places the Pilbara at the centre of world history.

In the town of Roebourne a young man, John Pat, scuffles with police, hits his head on the footpath and is left in a police lockup. He finds himself travelling through time from the beginning, meeting Greco/Roman Gods, tracing the spice routes, the exploration of the Indian Ocean, the paintings of Vermeer, the pop music of 1800’s, the coming of ghost people to Ngarluma country, slavery, pearling, new law, ancient law, and the mining boom of the present. During the performance John Pat’s family hold the truth of this story in their hands as witnesses. Like all Big hART’s pieces it will make you laugh and cry and touch you with its candid authenticity.' (Source: Canberra Theatre Centre website)

'It is the 22nd century in central Australia. Everyday life is basic in this future world. The post climate change environment demands that skills for living return to the way they were for thousands of years before that fast-paced period of just 10 generations, which resulted in global warming and the near destruction of the planet. Eva and Roam have fallen in love and they face a life and death predicament as they run from an unseen enemy, because of their wrong-skin marriage.'

Source: Adelaide Festival Centre website, www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au (sighted 10/05/2010)