Review: Caroline Russo of Baleen Moondjan
Tonight’s performance of Baleen Moondjan was truly moving, filled with soulful storytelling that resonated deeply. Inspired by a story from Stephen’s grandmother of the Ngugi/Nunukul/Moondjan people of Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island), this powerful work celebrates the enduring relationship between baleen whales and First Nations’ totemic systems.
The choreography was divine to watch, seamlessly weaving through music that ranged from native music to hip hop to rock, layered with soaring voices, ritual songs, songs,movement and energy that pulsed through the stage. What made the experience even more extraordinary was its setting: performed on water, framed by giant whale bones, with the hum of the city in the background—yet the true magic remained entirely on stage. The senses were awakened by smoke, fire, and lighting effects that created a spiritual atmosphere from beginning to end.
Stephen’s long-term collaborators—designer Jacob Nash, co-writer Alana Valentine, composer Steve Francis, costume designer Jennifer Irwin, and lighting designer Damien Cooper—helped bring his vision to life with breathtaking clarity.
Visually spectacular and beautifully told, Baleen Moondjan is not just a performance, but a celebration of First Nations’ culture, the sacred bonds between humans and animals, and the resilience of Country. It is a show that fills the soul and will linger in memory long after the final moment.
