Baleen Moondjan

Created and directed by Brisbane-born Stephen Page, Baleen Moondjan premiered in February 2024 at the Adelaide Festival as Stephen’s first major piece since working with Bangarra Dance Theatre as artistic director for more than 30 years. It is a fascinating theatre experience, as the dance and song takes place inside giant whale bones (a fabulous set design by Jacob Nash) to reinforce and celebrate the Indigenous Baleen Whale totems of Page’s mother’s Moondjan heritage from Minjerribah/Stradbroke Island. Starting with a smoking ceremony, the audience can feel and smell the healing eucalyptus smoke wash over us from a safe distance – although I would have loved to be closer to the performers. Integral to the atmosphere is music by long-time collaborator, Adelaide-born composer and sound designer, Steve Francis. Contributing to the script and song lyrics is another long-term Bangarra creative, Sydney-based playwright and librettist, Alana Valentine. With an absolutely stellar cast of dancers and singers, live on-stage musicians (musical direction by Paul Mac) in an outdoor setting on the Brisbane River, this is a must-see Brisbane Festival experience.

The soundtrack by Steve is gripping, combining Indigenous chants, claps and rhythms with gritty electronic soundscapes. So, it didn’t matter that several Brisbane City party vessels chugged up the river nearby, because the sound melding with the city was all part of the experience. It was energising to hear musicians Jorjabelle Munday and Taj Pigram perform with rapper, Rhyan Clapham (Dobby) who took on the role of Narrator, working with a superb dance ensemble including Kiarn Doyle, Rika Hamaguchi, Gusta Mara, Beau Dean Riley Smith, Glory Tuohy-Daniell and Tara Gower. It was an absolute treat to experience the combined wealth of stage, screen and musical experience in the main cast of totem spirits, Elaine Crombie (Gindara), Zipporah Corser-Anu (Nundigili), Brendon Boney (Spirit of Yallingbillar). Elaine provides a strong central character as the matriarch, passing on her knowledge to the clan. She moves with purpose and passion and also has an amazing gospel-like voice. Brendon, too, is a strong stage presence as the whale’s spirit. Zipporah is enchanting as Gindara’s granddaughter, taking in the totem stories and continuing the cycle to respect and look after country. She also has a fantastic voice! The costume design by Jennifer Irwin (Opera Australia) reflects the importance of nature and the stunning sea and earth-coloured pieces move well with the performers, under dramatic lighting by Damien Cooper.

The fabulous stage setting on the Brisbane River certainly imparted a festival feel, but to celebrate life, you must confront uncomfortable truths as well as death, and this piece does that through Gindara’s journey, but ultimately lauds her strength and survival. The Indigenous Jandai, and Gumbaynggirr/Yaegl languages are beautiful and combine with English (and on some nights, Auslan) to create a connecting and spiritual experience. I felt there was also an opportunity to have the audience participate in the final chanting – I found myself expecting such a moment and then missed it when it did not happen. But the final feeling is one of hope and this shining cast of performers and exciting soundtrack make Baleen Moondjan an uplifting experience.

Beth Keehn

Photographs by Morgan Roberts

Find out more: www.brisbanefestival.com.au/events/baleen-moondjan