Wundig Wer Wilera
Official opening night event of the Perth Festival, Wundig Wer Wilera, is a real crowd-pleaser.
The traditional Noongar legend of young lovers – Wundig (Jarred Wall), a young man from the Hills and Wilera (Jess Hitchcock), a young girl of the Grass people, both in the York area of Western Australia, are betrothed to others but after a chance meeting by the river, find themselves in love.
The couple’s chemistry is perfectly embodied by the voices of Jarred Wall and Jess Hitchcock, blending harmoniously in their duets.
While they are first feeling their attraction, there is an endearing song of “Fertility” and “Flirting” from Wilura’s Nanna (Della Rae Morrison) which brought knowing laughter from the audience and even some music hall “Oom-Pah!” from the orchestra.
No prior knowledge of Noongar words is necessary to enjoy the catchy songs by Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse. The repetition of certain musical and lyrical phrases will have you wanting to sing along, and the sur-titles give a quick translation at a glance.
There are many words locals would have heard before (koort – heart; moorditj – great/good; boodja – country; aliwa – look out).
The wilful and eventually tragic decision to separate the two lovers is determined by Clever man, Mubarn, sung with great authority and strength by David Leha (the audience impatiently waited until the curtain call to express their appreciation of his vocal talents). The music underlying his presence is accordingly dramatic, even frightening.
With live accompaniment by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Aaron Wyatt), the songs really soar when the singers trust themselves and the solid material, bringing this simple tale of lore to operatic life.
The songs are so strong and melodic that, with a change of attitude, they could even lend themselves to a Rock Opera rendition.
Hopefully a soundtrack album will be available in the future.
The simple, yet striking, set by Matt McVeigh suggested huge platforms of fool’s gold which gave the impression of varying landscapes under dramatic lighting effects (Lighting Designer Mark Howett).
Dangling projections (Digital Content Creation by Roly Skender) of constellations, waterways and flora above the players, place us in the Wongborel and Walwalling settings of the legend.
Costumes by Rae Cottam and Peter Farmer Designs convey the two families with simple colours and modern indigenous prints, covered by a hint of more traditional clothing.
Some first-night nerves showed in a few of the cast, but all was overcome with support from the confident melodies, combined with orchestration by Dr Chris Stone and direction by Matt Reuben James Ward.
Strong presence on stage came from the physicality of Ian Wilkes (also the choreographer), the golden vocal-tones of Ronald Dick (old man, Bworan) and featured solos by Charley Caruso (Wilura's Mother), Jarrad Inman (Gulambiddi), Bella McGill (Mandi), Tyrone Brownley (Wundig's Father), Rubeun Yorkshire (Maambart) and Teresa Moore (Maamyok).
The creative collaboration of Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse has progressed to impressive heights after playing small concert venues and promoting the Noongar language at High School presentations. Recently they wrote their opera debut, “Koolbardi wer Wardong” and only a few years later, West Australian Opera is working with them again.
With Wundig and Wilera’s fates sealed, a cleverly staged and stirring last duet by Jess Hitchcock and Jarred Wall was moving, leading to a truly “koort-felt” standing ovation by the first-night crowd.
An emotional audience member summed up the mood when she let out a cry of “moorditj” from the balcony.
The West Australian Opera has also coordinated an exhibition of paintings, inspired by the Wundig wer Wilura legend, by Dennis ‘Noongali’ Kickett, installed in the second-floor foyer.
Jane Keehn
Playing until 15 February.
https://www.waopera.asn.au/shows/events/wundig-wer-wilura/
Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse will be in concert with Jem Cassar-Daley at the “Sounds of Bunuru” on 23 March.
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