STARRING: Leeroy Bilney, Marcus Corowa + Ernie Dingo and Elaine Crombie
The New Black is a musical about a bright, young, Indigenous lawyer, Jim Kokatha, who is yearning for a better life and the empowerment to make it happen. It has been co-written by Leroy Bilney, a young Indigenous performer from Ceduna SA, Marcus Corowa a Sydney based Indigenous singer/songwriter and Stephen L. Helper, an established theatre producer/director who is also directing the production.
It has been hailed as the next Bran Nue Dae by Cameron Woodhead of The Age.
A stellar cast of 10 performers unite onstage to perform 16 musical numbers here at The Arts Centre Gold Coaston May 13 and 14.
Leeroy Bilney will star as the young gun lawyer and Ernie Dingo will play his father. Dingo has had an extensive career in film and television. His film roles include The Fringe Dwellers, Crocodile Dundee II, Blackfellas and Bran Nue Dae. In a coup, Robyn Archer will return to the musical stage after decades to feature as the charismatic Magistrate Madeleine Hawkshire. Elaine Crombie will shine as Aunty Eileen, who featured in Redfern Now and in the movie Jackie Jackie. William Zappa will play Rupert Kerighan.
When his Aunty expects him to represent her at an inquest, Jim is caught between his aspirations and his responsibilities. It’s a classic dilemma of conflict between the old ways and the new, the city and the bush, and the concerns that the new generation bring In trying to reconcile the two. It takes the audience on a journey full of comedy, drama, song and dance.
The inspiration for the production began when the three writers met at Brisbane’s Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts five years ago. Since then, it has been developed over 5 years through the support and collaboration of the Arts Centre Melbourne, the Adelaide Festival Centre and the Spirit Festival (in Adelaide); and generous subsidy from the Australia Council for the Arts, Playwriting Australia and private philanthropists.
Marcus Corowa has written songs for the production. A Deadly Award winner, his music is turning heads amongst music fans with his catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics and silky smooth singing voice. Drawing on his Aboriginal and South Sea Islander roots, Marcus combines elements of country, pop and funk to create a soulful sound that is distinctly his own.
The New Black employs ground breaking projection technology developed with Award- winning lighting designerMark Howett With set designer Ray Milner, they create a hi‐tech environment of flying steel mesh screens, live streaming and virtual realities.
DATE Wed 13 May, 7.30pm
Thu 14 May, 7.30pm
VENUE The Arts Theatre
DURATION 2 hours* (including 15 minute interval) *please confirm at time of booking
COST Adult $49.00 Pensioner/Senior $43.00, Student $28.00, Student Group Tickets $22.00pp, Adult Group Tickets $41.00pp
Friends of The Arts Centre $45.00pp
Book now- http://www.theartscentregc.com.au/whats-on/whats-on-items/the-new-black
The Arts Centre Gold Coast presents
The Follies Company production of The New Black
Written by Leeroy Bilney, Marcus Corowa and S.L. Helper
Co-Produced by Auspicious Arts Projects, Ltd
Conceived and Directed by S.L. Helper
