Big Name, No Blankets → Ilbijeri Theatre

 

‘Big Name, No Blankets’ is a rock musical about the Warumpi Band, narrated by the band’s founding member Sammy. If you’re unfamiliar (and I learnt this at the show) the Warumpi band was the first rock band to sing in Aboriginal Languages, paving the way for other quintessential musicians such as Yothu Yindi. The story follows their wild rise to fame from playing at home in Papunya NT in the 70s, to their world tour, to their eventual staggered return back to Australia. 


I didn’t know much about the band prior to the show, however I left having learnt so much about their music, their personal stories and individual challenges. From the outset, the audience is invited into the story. In between the scenes, the fourth wall was broken to have the audience up on their feet dancing to the band live in concert! Combined with the casts’ phenomenal acting and storytelling, an unspoken feeling of unity is created within the theatre.


‘Big Name, No Blankets’ is more than just a jukebox musical, it is a rocking tribute and a powerful piece of First Nations Theatre. Australia’s theatre scene is one that’s dominated by stories and cultures from pretty much everywhere else in the world, so it was very refreshing as an audience member to be immersed in a real story that centres around Aboriginal perspectives and stories. I was reminded how important theatre is in sharing stories from people unlike ourselves and it’s power to promote reconciliation - just as the Warumpi band sing: “Blackfella, whitefella, it doesn’t matter what your colour, as long as you a real fella…” 


I really hope this show has another run around Australia, as there are many more who need to see this!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Primetime The Musical → Adelaide Cabaret Festival

Image
  It’s a rare thrill to witness something you know is going to become a powerful piece of theatre, to be able to say, “I saw its first-ever performance!” That’s exactly what Primetime: The Musical is destined for. Developed in South Australia by the incredible Millicent Sarre and Joseph Simons, Primetime had its first development showing as part of the 2025 Adelaide Cabaret Festival-  and what a debut it was. This was my first time seeing a show at such an early stage, though I use the term “early” loosely, because it was far more than just “the bones” of a musical. This refreshing story centering around Australian women is bursting with vitality, and left the audience totally invested without even having seen the show in full.  Set in 2005 on the set of Australian hit TV game show Race Against The Cock! , the musical follows a new prizemodel who joins the long legacy of women hired to stand and look pretty. When an anniversary episode brings all the previous prizemodels ...
Read more

Tired Ass Showgirls → Adelaide Cabaret Festival

Image
Nope, this isn’t the ‘Wicked: For Good’ press tour, this is ‘Tired Ass Showgirls,’ a high-camp cabaret by an even better pink-and-green singing duo- Sean Miley Moore and Brendan de la Hay!  Created & written by Sean, Brendan and Jared Jekyll in conjunction with Hayes Theatre CO, ‘Tired Ass Showgirls’ is a glorious celebration of the careers of two of Australia’s most-loved performers. The show is a homage to the hustle of showgirl life on and off the stage, so it's no wonder they’re “tired!” Sean and Brendan lean into this narrative, only to give the most impressively entertaining hour of cabaret I have ever witnessed.  These two on stage are a combustible combination of charisma, talent and cheek. For. Real. All the details, from their song choices and costumes, to their crowdwork and their slick band made for a knock-out cabaret comedy. Glancing around the crowd last night, I noticed nothing but beaming smiles, which affirms the power of these two to shower you with show...
Read more

Frankly’s Doom Box → Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival

Image
Claiming, with delightful accuracy, to be “Adelaide’s best unknown export,” Frankly returns to her hometown for this year’s Cabaret Fringe Festival with Doom Box , a chaotic, charming hour of cabaret that’s perfectly unhinged! On Tuesday night at The Howling Owl, we were welcomed into Frankly’s realm: just her, a mic, a keyboard, and a madcap mind full of biting wit and musical mischief. With a voice that instantly impresses and original songs that take unexpected, hilarious turns, it’s clear that Frankly’s brand of cabaret is completely her own. She’s nutty in the best way- wild-eyed, quick-tongued, and gloriously unpredictable. You’re laughing before you even fully register what she’s said. One moment you're admiring her vocal control and piano chops, the next you’re jaw-dropped and bursting out laughing at a lyric about getting banned from Kilburn Savers (and you’ll have to see the show to find out why!). Frankly’s set list roams freely, from childhood memories of befriending th...
Read more