A woman is tossed ashore from the sea, bedraggled and lost. A century and a half later, another finds herself diving deep into the truth behind a lingering legend. From Andrea James (Sunshine Super Girl) comes The Black Woman of Gippsland, a story of Victoria’s dark past that is in dire need of revisiting.
This thrilling modern mystery that unfolds with beauty, tragedy, and rebellion will premiere at Melbourne Theatre Company’s Southbank Theatre, The Sumner with performances from Monday 5 May.
Jacinta’s family is driving her up the wall, and her academic career is floundering, but among the books, something doesn’t feel right about the story history tells. Determined to uncover the reality behind the myths and half-truths, she sets out to investigate the figure of a ‘white woman’ said to have lived among the Gunaikurnai people of Gippsland in the 1840s.
Written and directed by Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai theatre maker Andrea James, this poetic and emotionally rich story is based on real events and set on Andrea’s grandmother’s Country. Bringing this gripping tale to life on stage are Chenoa Deemal (Troppo), Ursula Yovich (Preppers), Zach Blampied (A Wake, A Woke Mob & Invisible Boys) and Ian Bliss (My Sister Jill), with choreography by Brent Watkins. Writer and Director Andrea James says, “I first heard about the story of The White Woman of Gippsland as a child at my grandmother’s house. Later at University, I was once more reunited with the story of this woman who was said to have washed up on a Gunaikurnai beach after a shipwreck. It was as if she was following me around. Piquing my curiosity, linking me with my grandmother’s Country and setting me on a path that I would later tread.
When I was offered a Melbourne Theatre Company commission, The White Woman of Gippsland immediately came to mind. From the outset, I knew I wanted to ground this story in the now, to disempower urban and colonial myths that continue to have repercussions for First Nations people right around Australia. Walking on Country has been a vital part of the rehearsal process. Ultimately, it is Country that informs us. It is Country that we read like a book. It is Country that gives us the first word and always has the last.”
Commissioned through NEXT STAGE, Melbourne Theatre Company’s industry leading new writing and development program, The Black Woman of Gippsland first began its life at Melbourne Theatre Company’s Summer Series in 2021 and now emerges as a powerful piece of theatre that delves into culture and community, the unbreakable connection to Country and the often-unrecognised Blak history of White Australia.
Presented in association with YIRRAMBOI, The Black Woman of Gippsland is more than just a story—it is an exploration of Indigenous ways of knowing and storytelling. Asking audiences to engage with the complexities of truth and myth, The Black Woman of Gippsland seamlessly weaves contemporary theatre with traditional dance and song.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members are invited to join The Black Woman of Gippsland First Nations Community Night performance on Wednesday 7 May, with $5 tickets available and an opportunity to chat with cast and creatives.
Directed by Andrea James, The Black Woman of Gippsland creative team includes Set and Costume Designer Romanie Harper, Lighting Designer Verity Hampson, Composer & Sound Designer James Henry, AV Designer Rhian Hinkley, Choreographer Brent Watkins, Gunnai Cultural Consultant for the Gunaikurnai Wayne Thorpe, Associate Director Amy Sole and Dramaturg Patricia Cornelius
The Black Woman of Gippsland begins performances on Monday 5 May at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner. Tickets via mtc.com.au.
Image: Jacinta Keefe
