My Cousin Frank, the Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) production written and performed by Rhoda Roberts AO, is a deeply personal and moving tribute to a man who helped redefine what it means to be an Aboriginal Australian on the world stage.
In this one-woman show, Roberts brings to life the story of her cousin, Francis Roy “Frank” Roberts, the first signed Indigenous Olympian and a proud Widjabul Wia-bal and Githabul man from the Cubawee Aboriginal settlement near Lismore, Northern NSW.
Known as ‘Honest Frank’ – Roberts was a boxer who rose to represent Australia at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. But as this poignant production reveals, his greatest fight wasn’t in the ring – it was for dignity, family and cultural survival in a country that too often failed to recognise his worth.
Roberts’ performance is magnetic. She slips effortlessly between narration and character, capturing the grit, humour, and quiet resilience of Frank with reverence and warmth. Her voice is at once authoritative and deeply intimate – a testament to her skill as both writer and performer.
The narrative moves between generations and landscapes with lyrical ease, anchoring Frank’s personal story within the broader struggle for Aboriginal rights and recognition.
Directed with sensitivity and power by Kirk Page, the storytelling remains taut and compelling throughout. Page balances the show’s emotional weight with just the right touch of theatricality, allowing space for humour, reflection and silence – all of which land with extraordinary impact.
Karl Johnson’s lighting is subtle and sculptural, framing Roberts in shadow and light to underscore the emotional tone of each scene. The AV design by Mic Gruchy and Jahvis Loveday is rich with archival texture, layering projections of historical photographs that deepens the connection to the past. Damian Robinson’s sound design is deft and immersive, pulling us into the boxing ring one moment and the undulating terrain of Cubawee the next.
A timely presentation at Arts Centre Melbourne as part of NAIDOC Week, My Cousin Frank doesn’t rely on spectacle – instead, it trusts the power of truth, family and memory. In sharing Frank’s story, Roberts invites us to consider the strength that exists behind the scenes of sporting glory – the community, the culture and the countless battles fought before the bell rings.
My Cousin Frank
The Showroom – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Performance: Wednesday 9 July 2025
Season continues to 12 July 2025
Information and Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Following its presentation in Melbourne, My Cousin Frank will be presented at HotHouse Theatre, Wodonga, from 13 – 16 August 2025.
Images: Rhoda Roberts in My Cousin Frank – photos by T J Garvie
Review: Rohan Shearn