After opening to rave reviews at Sydney Theatre Company in May, Malthouse Theatre presents the Melbourne premiere of Blackie Blackie Brown: Traditional Owner of Death by provocative social commentator Nakkiah Lui in the Beckett Theatre from 6 July 2018.
The brilliantly subversive Declan Greene (Sisters Grimm) teams up with Lui to make a live action feminist blaxploitation superhero comic book that will have you baying for blood. This ain’t about forgiveness. This ain’t about reconciliation. This is about Blackie Blackie Brown: Traditional Owner of Death.
Archaeologist Dr Jacqueline Black is on a dig in the Australian outback when she unearths a mystical skull from a hidden mass grave. Transforming into arse-kicking indigenous superhero Blackie Blackie Brown, she’s on a mission to track down every last descendant of the men who killed her ancestors, and have her revenge.
In a superhero spectacle, with live action and animation by Barkindji, Birri-Gubba illustrator Emily Johnson, Blackie Blackie Brown will bring to the fore the horrific, violent history of colonisation in Australia, through a scathing satire that is simultaneously brutal, smart, and funny.
Declan Greene has gained a reputation as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the independent theatre scene in recent years. Previous productions include Moth, Pompeii, L.A., Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography, I Am a Miracle and The Homosexuals.
Nakkiah Lui’s previous productions include Blaque Showgirls, Black is the New White, Kill the Messenger, Blak Cabaret, Stho Sthexy, I Should Have Told You Before We Made Love (That I’m Black) and This Heaven.
“Will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.” – Limelight
Director: Declan Greene Featuring: Ash Flanders, Dalara Williams Designer: Elizabeth Gadsby Animation & Video: Oh Yeah Wow Lighting & Projection Design: Verity Hampson Composition & Sound Design: Steve Toulmin Concept Artist: Emily Johnson
Blackie Blackie Brown: The Traditional Owner of Death
Beckett Theatre – The Coopers Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank
Season: 6 – 29 July 2018 (preview: 5 July)
Information and Bookings: www.malthousetheatre.com.au
Image: Ash Flanders and Megan Wilding in the Sydney season of Blackie Blackie Brown: The Traditional Owner of Death – photo by Daniel Boud