Elizabeth Surbey

SYDNEY FESTIVAL : ILBIJERRI THEATRE COMPANY’S ‘BIG NAME, NO BLANKETS’

Part of the Sydney Festival the world premiere or the very special family project, five and a half years in the making. Opening Night felt all the more special with the co directors and co creators, Anyupa Butcher (Daughter of founding member Sammy Butcher) and Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s Rachel Maza AO visiting the stage before the show even begins. Warumpi original, Sammy rises from the house seats of the Ros Packer Theatre to encourage us all to see this as a project explicitly to bring the desert boys revival to all the people, as was the original intention.

Then, his Warumpi story unfolds and we hear his character replayed as key narrator, having been key to the research of this story written by Andrea James. The band that covers for the characters includes his sons Jeremiah and Jason. Along with research contributions of his other daughter Crystal and his very talented niece Cassandra Williams playing every female character on stage.

“BIG NAME, NO BLANKETS represents hope and First People’s strength in the face of the negative impacts of colonisation.” Program

The production is so poignant and powerful. Whether you knew the story or the times, you will feel this journey and the layering of relationships. You will know the music once they begin playing. Blak anthems like a favourite Blackfella/Whitefella, My Island Home, Jailanguru Pakurnu. This band was not only very big but oh so very distinctive and different with their unique invitation to hear and witness First Nations languages in the rock n roll genre still packs a punch. I loved how their Aussie tour was captured by “Gotta Be Strong” another from the Big Name, No Blankets first album. 

Sammy’s character invites us onto country and into his Warumpi band. We are welcomed into his truth and his heart. Supported magnificently by videography of Video content designer Sean Bacon, and the most incredible visual artworks and animation journeying as back drop by Patrician McKean and Guck.

The show and the journey is filled with laughter, the iconic songs and rockstar performances from the talented actors and musicians, this is a joyful show about how music can and will always be a part of our changing world. What Andrea and the team have left in (as there must have been so much more left out) is perfectly woven, there is not one moment I was not fully engaged. The gig moments are exactly that, we are the audience for this revival band and the clapping along, jumping out of our seats and even singing along fits so brilliantly into the play. It is truly a celebration of their uniqueness, their joy and passion. I believe it can only cement their icon status. Bravo Ilbijerri and Sydney festival. This show will tour, it must. Go see it.

Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s poduction of BIG NAME, NO BLANKET is just having a short season at the Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, playing between the 10th and the 14th January 2024.

“Warumpi Band left an enduring legacy on Australia’s music scene across three decades, three albums, and three national ARIA awards.” Crystal Butcher


Writer Andrea James

Story and cultural consultant Sammy Butcher (founding member of Warumpi Band)

Co-directors Dr Rachael Maza AM and Anyupa Butcher

Music director Gary Watling

Cinematographer and sound designer James Henry

Sound arrangements and composition Crystal Butcher

Sound arrangements and composition mentor David Bridie

Set designer Emily Barrie

Lighting designer Jenny Hector

Costume designer Heidi Brooks

Video content designer Sean Bacon

Animation Patrician McKean and Guck

Core band Gary Watling, Jason Butcher, Jeremiah Butcher

Performers Baykali Ganambarr, Googoorewon Knox, Teangi Knox, Aaron McGrath, Jackson Peele, Cassandra Williams, Tibian Wyles

Producers Nina Bonacci & Alexandra Paige

Theatre consultant Sarah Goodes

Creative consultant Lisa Watts

Dramaturg Amy Sole

Production manager Nathan Evers

Stage manager Celina Mack

Assistant stage managers PJ Rosas & Kira Feeney

Audio engineer Daniel Lade

Warumpi family consulting Suzina McDonald and Marion Burarrwanga

 

Published by Elizabeth Surbey

Elizabeth had a passion for theatre and performing from her youth and was a keen contributor to the joint school musicals- mostly the Gilbert and Sullivan romps. Once she headed to university this passion dominated with a 4 year stint at UNE in Armidale encompassing both performance and directing as major components of her Double Major in Drama and Major in English Literature. The year after graduation she found herself not only at the newly formed Actors' Centre but also teaching high school drama. She is still there, teaching, directing, writing for high school Drama and on the side across the years has performed in small season productions at Q theatre and directed several productions for the Short & Sweet program being a part of the inaugural group. Keenly she has represented other drama educators as committee member then President of Drama NSW also representing NSW on the National Committee at Drama Australia National Conferences. She completed her MA a century ago also with a focus on Drama & Theatre at UNSW. She is now a mum of two and recently directed her sixth Musical - perhaps now coming full circle in the scheme of things. She was contributing and consulting editor on a major Drama text for Cambridge Uni Press "Drama ReLoaded". More than anything she loves theatre and is very keen to share her experiences with this forum. Each year she directs secondary students in plays from Australia and across the globe, in productions large and small.