The three heroes of Sydney’s past
Fifty Aboriginal musicians, performers, creative artists and technicians from across Australia have come together to tell the story of Sydney’s Aboriginal continuity, as part of the Sydney Festival.
‘I am Eora’ (I am of this place), directed by Wesley Enoch, takes Sydney 2012 back into a time when fireworks did not mark the beginning of a new year but three heroes embodied the tenacity of the enduring human spirit.
The characteristics of the three heroes transcend the passing of the years: the protest and resistance of the warrior Pemulway; the female embodiment of resilience, Barangaroo; and her gifted interpreter and conciliator of a husband, Bennelong: All represent human qualities that we still admire today.
The show’s associate director, Yolande Brown, said people still embody the characteristics of the show’s heroes and we can all relate to them even in this modern era.
“There are those people who act as bridges, those who are nurturing and those people who fight for justice,” she said. ‘I am Eora’ is grounded in a history Sydney cannot escape.”
It is in Sydney’s buildings, suburbs and landmarks that tribute is given to the heroes of the Eora people; the name proudly used today by the descendents of the coastal Aboriginal people around Sydney.
The name of Pulmaway, or the ‘Rainbow Warrior’, is now better known as the Suburb in Sydney’s West or the green park in Redfern.
Likewise, Bennelong is known as the site of the Sydney Opera House or the seat in Federal Parliament, while Barangaroo is the developing Sydney Harbour precinct.
“The show really works through the idea that land is a constant and the past, present and future are all wrapped into place,” Ms Brown said.
“Pulmaway, Bennelong and Barangaroo take us on the journey through Sydney history and we get to learn about some of the stories that have gone before and positive vision of the future.”
After over two years in the making ‘I am Eora’ is in its final stages of production, with performers rehearsing for eight hours a day, six days a week.
“We have a mix of artists, some highly experienced professionals, some emerging artists and for some of them this is their first professional show,” Ms Brown said.
Some of the cast includes the actor of the 1978 iconic Australian film ‘The chant of Jimmie Blacksmith’, Jack Charles, Jazz singer, Wilma Reading, and singer and song writer, Frank Yamma.
Ms Brown said the visions of the show are put together through elaborate costumes and props and the show covers music genres from rap to folk to cabaret.
“The costumes are looking like contemporary fashion mixed with colonial fashion, mixed with traditional indigenous.”
“Some of them are period costumes and are quite delicate.
“The funniest thing was when the costume designer discovered [the costumes] were delicate; only when the dancers started doing back rolls and there was a loud ripping noise.
‘I am Eora’ will be running from January 8- 14 at Carriageworks, Eveleigh.
By Kristie Beattie
