Outsider Cherish will be our guide through a community torn in two, divided by bloodline. This is Cherish's place, this is where she hides away from the real world, speaks to imagined friends and is visited by ghosts of relatives long dead. At the centre of the story is a young couple; two lovers united in their devotion but separated by clan. Theirs is a tale of social dysfunction, black on black conflict and the difficulties of observing traditional lore in a community permeated by western values.
Stephen Page, Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre and award-winning choreographer, collaborates with writer and actor Wayne Blair on this landmark work. Stephen and Wayne developed this original work for over a year, collaborating with local storytellers in Arnhem Land. Featuring an Indigenous cast of twelve including established urban actors as well as traditional Yolngu storytellers, Bloodland fuses traditional languages and Pidgin English, plus dance and song to tell the story. Bloodland promises to be unique in scale and significance.
Read how an Academy award-winner helped Hunter Page-Lochard land a leading role in Bloodland.
Download the Bloodland program
Please note that Bloodland contains mild violence
CONCEPT BY Stephen Page
STORY BY Kathy Balngayngu Marika, Stephen Page AND Wayne Blair
WRITTEN BY WAYNE BLAIR.
WITH Kathy Balngayngu Marika, Elaine Crombie, Rarriwuy Hicks, Banula Marika, Noelene Marika, David Page, Hunter Page Lochard, Kelton Pell, Tessa Rose, Meyne Wyatt and Ursula Yovich
DIRECTOR Stephen Page
SET DESIGNER Peter England
COSTUME DESIGNER Jennifer Irwin
LIGHTING DESIGNER Damien Cooper
COMPOSER/SOUND DESIGNER Steve Francis
Bloodland is part of the commitment between Queensland Theatre Company and Queensland Performing Arts Centre towards the development and presentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander work.
“a full, rich and very different experience - a glimpse into the complexities of indigenous life.”
The Sydney Morning HeraldRead full review“Bloodland is a conventional love story told in an unconventional way.”
ABC online
Read full review“Ursula Yovich plays Cherish with such a reserved inner beauty, you feel her pain, confusion and naivety acutely.”
ABC online
Read full review“Stephen Page's direction allows for space and time to melt into one another for consideration and contemplation.”
ABC online
Read full review“explores black on black conflict, family, kinship and division.”
ArtsHub
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"Bridging theatre and dance, narrative and folklore with a hefty dose of social commentary, Bloodland is a journey into largely uncharted theatrical waters, offering a wonderful story and some terrific insights for theatregoers willing to accept its challenge."
SameSame
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"Bloodland will have the blood of this land coursing hotly through your cold, blue veins."
Crikey
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Read how an Academy award-winner helped Hunter Page-Lochard land a leading role in Bloodland.
Queensland Theatre Company and QPAC