Above : Guy Simon as the Actor in Jane Harrison’s Bennelong in London at Wharf 1 Sydney Theatre Company. Pic Daniel Boud
As I was lining up to go in to the theatre, I noticed an enthusiastic drama teacher organising her excitable group of students to go in. This memorable show went straight through for ninety minutes, and toy first thoughts on leaving the theatre were that this was a tremendous show for these students to see with the play giving so much insight in to Bennelong’s character and his journey. This is the Bennelong who many Australians will know little more than that the point on Sydney Harbour on which the Sydney Opera Housr stands is named after him.
As the play’s title suggests, a lot of the play concentrates on the time that Governor Phillip took Bennelong to London. Bennelong saw Phillip as a friend but felt stabbed in the back because of the ways in which he disrespected him and his people.
Indigenous playwright Jane Harrison chose a very inspired way to tell Bennelong’s story. The play begins with a light, humorous touch as the Actor comes on stage doing warmups as he prepares to do an audition to play Bennelong in an upcoming production. We see him as he strives to get in to his character and is enormously challenged by the task.Then voila Bennelong comes on to the stage, keen to help him, with the aim that the Actor will get the role, and then go on to deliver an authentic, powerful portrayal.
Director Ian Michael and his creative team- set and costume designer Emma White, lighting designer Trent Suidgeest, soundscape James Peter Brown, dramaturg Jules Orcullo, fight director Tim Dashwood and voice and text direction by Charmian Gradwell – set up a striking, compelling world for for the two actors to work in, and they deliver very fine performances.
Guy Simon gives a very appealing, empathic performance as the Actor works his hardest to do justice to such an important role. In his Sydney Theatre Company debut, Googoorewon Knox as Bennelong had a very large, almost booming stage presence. These two proudly and very expressively indigenous performers were committed to the production having a lasting impression on the audience.
This play is a winner, it is so well structured, and the cast and creatives have realised an impressive world premiere production.
Definitely a highlight of its program so far this year, Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Jane Harrison’s BENNELONG IN LONDON is playing Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company until the 16th August 2026.
Production photography by Daniel Boud.
