15–18 March Rangatira Q Theatre

JACK CHARLES V THE CROWN

ILBIJERRI THEATRE COMPANY A NOTE FROM JACK CHARLES

Shortly after the screening of a 56-minute version of my documentary, Bastardy, on the ABC, I started to receive feedback from a number of sources. Testament that my story had hit that ‘sweet spot’ in the minds and hearts of ordinary viewers, in and nationwide. It had impressed so many people, from all walks of life, that many were urged to contact me by phone or postcard, others content to wait for a chance meet, face to face. On the streets, on a tram, bus or train, each one practically falling arse over tit to engage, talk and thank me for the experience. I thoroughly enjoy the rapport and support offered by complete strangers, and understand and honour their reaching out to me.

It came as no surprise when Rachael Maza, the Artistic Director of ILBIJERRI, rang to talk about taking my story to its rightful place – the stage, the theatre. The mob at ILBIJERRI were always aware of the rise in my profile and standing in the performing arts arena, so it wasn’t long before I got the call to arms from Rachael and ILBIJERRI – Bold, Black ‘n’ Brilliant! Rachael had roped in my old friend from the Pram Factory days, John Romeril, to be my dramaturg. T’was easy to re-connect to the man who’d written the original play, Bastardy. This is one very important piece of theatre that I was so anxious and ready to do. I reckon that CREATIVE TEAM PERFORMERS people from the arts and performing industries have come to the realisation that I share the writing with Romeril, writing a couple of the monologues myself, Written by Lighting Designer Stage Manager With and performing clean, without any giggle-juice or Jack Charles & John Romeril Danny Pettingill Jessica Keepence Jack Charles drugs to enhance my presence on stage. Jack Charles Director Musical Director Audio Engineer/ Guitar & Violin V The Crown is the culmination of years of frustration Rachael Maza Nigel MacLean AV Realiser Nigel MacLean and rejection from bureaucracy, both black and white. Gary Dryza Dramaturg Audio Visual Designer Percussion ilbijerri acknowledges the support of John Romeril Peter Worland Phil Collings the australian government through sponsored by the australia council for the arts, the Set & Costume Designer Production Manager 1hr 15mins no interval Bass victorian government through creative Emily Barrie John Byrne photography: bindi cole Mal Beveridge victorian and the city of melbourne. BIOGRAPHIES

ILBIJERRI (pronounced ‘il BIDGE er JACK CHARLES JOHN ROMERIL ree) is a Woiwurrung word meaning Co-Writer, Performer Co-Writer, Dramaturg ‘Coming Together for Ceremony’. Jack Charles has a career that Born in 1945, John began writing ILBIJERRI is one of Australia’s leading spans almost six decades. He co- plays in the late 1960s while a theatre companies creating innovative founded the first Aboriginal theatre student at Monash University. He works by First Nations artists. company Nindethana in 1972 and was a founding member of the has performed with the cream of Australian Performing Group at the Our productions have toured to Australia’s actors, directors and Pram Factory during the 1970s; critical acclaim across Australia and writers including Geoffrey Rush, Neil writing nearly 40 plays for the the world. We challenge and excite Armfield, John Romeril and Tracey company. They include the greatly our audiences with contemporary Moffatt. Jack Charles V The Crown acclaimed The Floating World, which stories about what it means to be (ILBIJERRI Theatre Company), earned him the Literature Board’s First Nations in Australia today. the production he co-wrote and inaugural Canada-Australia Award performed in, has been touring in 1975 and led to a production at Established in 1990 ILBIJERRI is the national and internationally since the National Theatre in Ottawa. He longest running First Nations theatre it first premiered in 2010. Jack’s is also remembered for other works DIRECTOR’S NOTE company in Australia. Our creative work has spanned feature films, from the 70s, such as Marvelous processes aim to support First TV series and hundreds of plays Melbourne, The Dudders, Chicago Nations artists and communities to including The Chant of Jimmie Chicago, Carboni, Mrs. Thally F have a powerful voice in determining Blacksmith, Bedevil, Ben Hall and and The Accidental Poke (a short Having grown up in the theatre I have the phenomenal documentary Bastardy the future of Australia. The Marriage of Figaro. Jack was melodrama within The Hills Family known Uncle Jack most of my life in which Uncle Jack again bares his all – the subject of Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s Show). Romeril’s more recent works Artistic Director award-winning documentary include the script for One Night the and long admired his work as one of though this time metaphorically. We talk not Rachael Maza Bastardy, and was awarded the Moon, an hour length music drama prestigious Tudawali Award at the that gained both a cinema and Australia’s greatest actors. His is the long after and it becomes very evident that Executive Producer Message Sticks Festival in 2009, television release. Miss Tanaka, based generation that started he is ready to tell his story on stage. Lydia Fairhall honouring his lifetime contribution to on a short story by Xavier Herbert, Indigenous media. His most recent was staged at the Malthouse in in this country, paving the way for Creative Director work includes Warner Bros’ Pan Melbourne. During five decades as a those of my generation to follow (Uncle Jack’s story is not dissimilar to many other Kamarra Bell-Wykes and Wolf Creek 3. Uncle Jack was dramatist John has produced over 80 Aboriginal people who were victims of past the recipient of the Green Room works for stage, film and television. Jack, along with my father Bob Maza, Producers Awards 2014 Lifetime Achievement His approach is collaborative in style, established Australia’s first Aboriginal Government policies. He was stolen from Nina Bonacci Award and the 2016 Victorian Senior responsive to both a wide range his family at three months and placed in a Lisa Parris Australian of the Year. of social issues, and the specific Theatre Company, Nindethana, in needs of actors, directors, designers, Melbourne in 1972). It is through theatre boys’ home, where he would endure years Associate Producers managements and audiences. of abuse. He then spent the majority of his J-Maine Beezley During the 1980s and 1990s his that I have learnt the true history of this Davey Thompson involvement in live theatre included country, history that was never taught in adult years doing ‘burgs’ and ‘doing time’ to History of Australia: The Musical, feed his addiction. There is no doubt in my General Manager Jonah, Legends and The Kelly Dance. the school books. It is this early theatre Kathy Morrison His plays have been translated and that inspired who I am today, inspiring mind that all of this got in the way of what performed in Japan, Vietnam, and would have been a truly brilliant career Development & Marketing Manager Italy. He was the recipient of the in me the passion to continue to tell the Iain Finlayson 2009 Patrick White Award and stories that need to be told. on stage and screen. Melbourne-born and more recently received ‘Lifetime bred, a true gentleman, generous in spirit, Marketing Coordinator Achievement’ awards, one from the Fred Chuang Melbourne Greenroom Society (2011) One of my earliest memories in the warm of heart, sharp of wit... Jack Charles and one from the Sydney Theatre Office Manager Reviewers Association (2014). He theatre was at the Sydney Opera House: is a true Elder! It is such a great honour and Lea Rumwaropen has written three times for (and a scene in which two fully clad early privilege to work so closely and intimately sometimes with) Jack Charles: Finance Manager Bastardy, Jack Charles V The Crown, 19th century soldiers entered, carrying with one of Australia’s great living legends. Jon Hawkes and Going Through which was a sell- between them a fully naked ‘Bennelong’ Special thanks to Uncle Jack for his out success at the 2015 Castlemaine International Market State Festival in the Old Castlemaine (a young Jack Charles) to centre incredible generosity in sharing his story. Development Consultant Jail which several times housed Jack downstage, his feet dangling above the Fenn Gordon as a prisoner. floor... Some decades later, I’m watching Rachael Maza BIOGRAPHIES

RACHAEL MAZA NIGEL MACLEAN PHIL COLLINGS Director Muscial Director, Guitar & Violin Percussion

Rachael Maza is one of Australia’s Established “all terrain” violinist, Nigel Phil performs in a variety of musical most recognisable faces of the MacLean has won international and contexts ranging from the real-time Australian film, television and theatre national recognition for his innovative composition and dissection of form industry with performance credits approach to music. Nigel orchestrated and melody in The Borrowed Time including the Australian Film Institute and conducted the music for Geoffrey Trio and ReAssemble, to the rock (AFI) award-winning Radiance and the Wright’s production of Macbeth styling’s of Australian rock iconoclast stage production of The Sapphires. (2006), and composed music for Kim Salmon, and the linear and a short film, Forged, by David No, dexterous compositions of Australian A Western Australian Academy of which won Gold Medal for Best Music composer Kate Neal. Performing Arts (WAAPA) graduate, in a Short Film at the Park City Film Rachael’s outstanding performances Music Festival (Utah, USA) in 2008. Phil’s theatre credits include Jack have been acknowledged with a Charles V The Crown and Sisters Green Room Award and a Sydney Nigel composed the music for of Gelam for ILBIJERRI Theatre Theatre Critics Circle Award. Rachael Jack Charles V The Crown (which Company and Show Us Your Tiddas has also worked as a presenter for premiered at Melbourne International for Melbourne Workers Theatre. ABC Message Stick and as an acting Arts Festival 2010), toured nationally coach on films such as the multi- and internationally with sell out Phil has led and written for his own award-winning Rabbit Proof Fence. performances at the Barbican projects, namely the Phil Collings Theatre in London February 2014. Trio, which performed at the Apollo Rachael’s first taste of directing was Nigel has twice won the National Bay Music Festival on the back Stolen (1992) for ILBIJERRI Theatre Bluegrass Championships and has of the 2003 CD release of Music Company, however, it wasn’t until been awarded three Golden Fiddle Room – Phil Collings trio, and has 2009 that she rejoined the company Awards. He is a nationally recognised a composition featured on the ABC as Artistic Director. Since then she jazz violin performer and educator. Jazztrack 30th Anniversary Album. has directed Sisters of Gelam (2009), Jack Charles V The Crown (2010), As a solo artist his performance As a producer, Phil is artistic director Foley (2011), Beautiful One Day and recording credits include Black and co-founder of record label (2012) and Which Way Home (2016). Arm Band, John Denver, David Crackbell Records (crackbellrecords. Hirschfelder; Joe Chindamo, Dan com) dedicated to new Australian Rachael currently sits on the board Hicks, Paul Kelly, Renee Geyer, David music, and also works with of the Australian Centre for the Hobson, Joe Camilleri and Kate Castlemaine based Label/Production Moving Image (ACMI), the Circus Oz Ceberano to name a few. Company Filmharmonix, which Indigenous Advisory Panel, Australian produced Jack Charles V The Crown Opera Indigenous Advisory Panel, – Music from the Stage Production. Balnaves Indigenous Playwrights MAL BEVERIDGE Award Panel and the Green Room Bass Currently Phil is performing with Awards Theatre Company Panel. the following Artists: The Borrowed Mal Beveridge is an electric double Time Trio, The Ben Carr Trio, bassist. He’s played in every Mike Brady, Steve Sedergreen, sticky carpeted honky-tonk pub in Stu Thomas Paradox, Dan Flynn and Melbourne and around Australia for the State of Things (Bass), Justin the last twenty years with various Brady, Mikelangelo, P2, ReAssemble, jazz, blues, country, rock and funk Kim Salmon & The Surrealists, and bands and recorded with many the Phil Collings Trio, and different artists. Jack Charles V The The Flaming Mongrels. Crown was Mal’s first major theatre production and has been involved since its inception in 2010. He has since toured with the company across Australia, UK, Ireland, Canada and the US. ALSO AT AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL aaf.co.nz Book at aaf.co.nz The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Auckland Arts Festival is a place for ambitious ideas by storytellers, CONTACT and London National Theatre hit. provocateurs and creators. +64 (0)9 309 0101 “Startling. Remarkable.      The Festival reflects our contemporary, cosmopolitan city with its many communities. [email protected] It challenges artists and audiences to be bold and take a risk. Through the work of Playful as well as moving.” — The Guardian Level 5, Wellesley Centre artists from Aotearoa and across the world, we aim to unify, uplift, enlighten and 44-52 Wellesley Street inspire the people of T¯amaki Makaurau and our many visitors.             Auckland City 1010 Taking place annually in March, 2018 marks the 10th Auckland Arts Festival. PO Box 5419 — The Telegraph — The Times — Time Out This year more than 200,000 people are expected to attend the Festival, which Wellesley Street comprises more than 50 events taking place in all corners of the Auckland region Auckland 1141, NZ     and many of which are free. — The Independent FESTIVAL PEOPLE

Patron Chief Executive Creative Learning & Head of Sound The Governor General, David Inns Community Engagement Sandy Gunn Her Excellency Assistant The Right Honourable Artistic Director Natasha Lay Head of AV Dame Patsy Reddy, Jonathan Bielski Simon Baker GNZM, QSO Programme Administrator Business & Helen Winskill Marketing & Board of Trustees Finance Director Communications Director John Judge (Chair) Shona Roberts Project Coordinator, Wha¯nui Thierry Pannetier Noma Sio-Faiumu Angela Clatworthy Accounts & Payroll Marketing Contractor Rick Carlyon Administrators Wha¯nui Project Assistant Sally Woodfield Evan Davies Suzanne Watt Amo Ieriko Sarah Judkins Mirena Tomas Content Editor Tarun Kanji Technical Manager Tim Wong Margaret Kawharu MNZM Executive Assistant Nick Tomlin Jim Moser Josie Maskell Campaign Executive Ben Taufua Technical Administrator Alistair Kwun Fred Ward Office Manager Catherine Hart US/ Donna Lynskey Media & PR Manager Founding Friends Artist Liaison & Siobhan Waterhouse Adrian Burr Head of Programming Logistics Manager Media & PR Assistant Graeme Edwards Dolina Wehipeihana Megan Andrews Josephine Granese Friedlander Foundation Senior Programme Manager Artist Liaison Assistant Dame Jenny Gibbs Tama Waipara Sophie Williams Marketing Intern Sir Chris & Lady Dayle Mace Ellie Tapsell Programme Manager Production Manager Official Suppliers Angela Green Vicki Cooksley Sponsorship Executive ABE’s Bagels Jessie Congalton Delmaine Fine Foods Programme Assistant Festival Playground Mojo Tanya Muagututi’a Operations Managers Sponsorship Assistant PwC Charlotte Crone Gill Saker THEM Russell McVeagh Producer’s Assistant Gareth Baston (Boris) Aroha Rawson Designer Head of Staging Barny Bewick 22–25 March Creative Learning & Andrew Gibson Community Engagement Ticketing Manager Written & Directed by Carly Wijs Manager Head of Lighting Karen Cartwright Rangatira Tracey Marama Lloydd Andrew Meadows BRONKS & RICHARD JORDAN PRODUCTIONS Ticketing Assistant WITH THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH & BIG IN BELGIUM Q Theatre Laura Aldis In association with Summerhall A STANDING OVATION FOR ALL THE FUNDERS, SPONSORS, PATRONS, AND SUPPORTERS WHOSE AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL THANK YOU GENEROSITY LETS US BRING THE WORK OF GREAT ARTISTS TO THIS WONDERFUL CITY.

CORE FUNDERS MAJOR FUNDERS

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FUNDING PARTNERS

The Clyde Graham Charitable Trust managed by

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INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

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CORPORATE PATRONS PLATINUM PATRONS Janet Clarke and John Judge, Sir Roderick and Gillian, Lady Deane, GOLD PATRONS Andrew and Jenny Smith, Sir James Wallace (Wallace Foundation), Fran Wyborn Bill and Frances Bell

SILVER PATRONS Julie and Brian Cadzow, Jeremy Collins, Christine and Richard Didsbury, Trevor and Jan Farmer, Friedlander Foundation, Kent and Gaye Gardner, Dame Jenny Gibbs, David Levene Foundation, Sir Chris and Lady Dayle Mace, Heather Simpson, Sonbol and Farzbod Taefi, Walker and Hall Trust

BRONZE PATRONS John Barnett, John Billington QC, JADE PATRONS Lisa Bates and Douglas Hawkins, Rick and Jenny Carlyon, Rosslyn Caughey, Jo and John Chaplin, John and Carter, Graham Cleary, Martin Cooper, Mark and Angela Clatworthy, John and Jo Gow, Rochelle McLaren, Amber Coulter and Andrew Lewis, Tarun Kanji, Kate Plaw, Fran and Geoff Ricketts, Michelle and Will Rouse, Jim Moser, Chris Simcock and Camilla Hope-Simcock, Martin and Catherine Spencer, Lady Philippa Tait, Fred and Nicky Ward, Angela Temata and Vanessa Morgan Sally Woodfield and David Inns, William and Sarah Yates Aotea Centre In partnership with 1–25 March DAILY UNTIL LATE

FESTIVAL CLUB

All roads at the Auckland In the centre of the Arts Festival lead back to Aotea Arts Precinct, this the iHeartRadio FESTIVAL comfortable and upbeat CLUB at the Aotea Centre, pop-up club is your place a hangout space and music to gather before and after stage for audiences, artists a show, grab a delicious and the creative community meal from a bespoke to meet, mix and celebrate. menu, enjoy live music from instrumentalists and Food and drink FESTIVAL CLUB DJs, or unwind over the curated by designed by ArtDego Angus Muir long summer nights with a special Festival cocktail.