Ilbijerri Theatre Company | Big Name, No Blankets
"You might think we're flash up here on this big stage, with big lights and big hair but we come from a little place with a big heart and a big story...
"Big Name, No Blankets cranks up the amps and plugs into the heart of Papunya (Warumpi), where for the first time, we hear the stories of the Warumpi Band through founding lead guitarist Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher's perspective.
ILBIJERRI Theatre Company Big Name, No Blankets By Andrea James with Anuypa Butcher and Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher
Warumpi Band is the original First Peoples rock band to sing in language, known for their anthems' Blackfella/Whitefella', 'My Island Home' and 'Jailanguru Pakurnu'. Big Name, No Blankets is inspired by their rise to the top through their politics, presence, and potent rock 'n' roll riffs.
Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher - played by Baykali Ganambarr- is our charismatic narrator, who weaves intimate storytelling with big rock 'n' roll songs. He takes us on a journey from Warumpi Band's beginnings in the 1970s, where Sammy, with his two younger brothers, Gordon (drummer) and Brian (bass), — learnt music by jamming on a flour drum in Papunya—through to their wild nights conquering pub rock and touring the world.
As the first band to sing rock 'n' roll in Aboriginal languages, they greatly influenced the likes of Yothu Yindi and Coloured Stone. True to their roots, the show weaves in culture from Central Australia and North East Arnhem Land and two ancestral languages—Luritja and Gumatj (Yolngu Matha)—as the band navigates divides between bush and city, white and black, fame and family.
You're invited into the world of these central desert legends. Stomp your feet, clap your hands and sing along as you get swept away by this big-hearted story.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government's Major Festivals Initiative, managed by Creative Australia, its Arts Funding and Advisory Body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc., commissioned by RISING, Sydney Festival, Darwin Festival, Brisbane Festival, Adelaide Festival and Perth Festival.ILBIJERRI is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
CREDITS
Writer
Andrea James
Story and Cultural Consultant
Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher (founding member of Warumpi Band)
Co-Directors
Dr Rachael Maza AM and Anyupa Butcher
Music Director
Gary Watling
Cinematographer & Sound Designer
James Henry
Sound Arrangements and Composition
Crystal Butcher
Sound Arrangements and Composition Mentor
David Bridie
Set Designer
Emily Barrie
Lighting Designer
Jenny Hector
Costume Designer
Heidi Brooks
Video Content Designer
Sean Bacon
Animation
Patricia McKean and Guck
Core Band
Gary Watling, Malcolm Beveridge, Jason Butcher, Jeremiah Butcher (TBC)
Performers
Baykali Ganambarr (Sammy)
Teangi Knox (Gordon 7 drums)
Taj Pigram (George)
Jackson Peele (Neil)
Cassandra Williams (Suzina, Mum & Ensemble)
Tibian Wyles (Ian, Ensemble)
Producers
Nina Bonacci & Alexandra Paige
Theatre Consultant
Sarah Goodes
Dramaturg
Amy Sole
Production Manager
Nathan Evers
Stage Manager
Celina Mack
Assistant Stage Managers
PJ Rosas & Sophie Walter
Audio Engineer
Daniel Lade
Monitor Engineer
Tui Rapata Hohepa Campbell
Lighting Associate
Travis Kecek
Warumpi Family Consultants
Suzina McDonald & Marion Burarrwanga
Dates
Times
7.30pm
Prices
Adult
$85
Concession
$78
Araluen Theatre Member
$75
Genre
Location
Extra information
Online ticketing is available up until one hour prior to the performance.
For ticket purchases after this time, please visit the Araluen Box Office or call us on (08) 8951 1122.
Accessibility
Warning
Haze & Strobe will be used during the performance.
Booking Fee
For this event, a one-off service fee of $2.50 per transaction applies on all purchases online. All ticket prices include GST.