Dear Son

The coldest, bleak winter night came alive at the premiere of the 70-minute State Theatre Company South Australia and Queensland Theatre production of Dear Son. Based on the book by Thomas Mayo and adapted by Isaac Drandic and John Harvey, it is a creative compilation of letters and reflections from 12 invited First Nation fathers and sons.  This groundbreaking celebration of manhood, healing, love and different perspectives is told through real and skilfully creative songs and stories, and delivered by five passionate and proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

Director Isaac Drandic has created the tightest artistic and creative team and nurtured a tightly knit cast who lovingly bounce off each other and celebrate their differences, rather than portraying it as divisive. It is a strong story of men growing into understanding themselves and their fathers, and generations before them. They consistently remind us that they are proud, indigenous men, flawed, human, but celebrating their enduring culture and courageous human spirit and more than once, both the audience and cast teared up as deeply emotional, raw experiences, loss and suffering challenged and resonated with us.

The set perfectly frames the story, quintessentially Australian with it’s BBQ,(where they had all of their totem needs covered), shelter, benches, sand and tree sheltering the story telling. Perhaps the only issue is the relative tight space of the playing area that forces the actors, on more than one occasion to ‘jockey for position’. Both the lighting design by David Walters and the video design by Craig Wilkinson enable the story to be seen and felt, with the video literally ‘papering’ the characters to both explain stories of the past, and to remind us of who these proud men are representing. It is a genius touch.

Cast includes Jimi Bani, the statesman who leads the group, Waangena Blanco, known to many through his achievements with Bangarra Dance Company who is mesmerising to watch as he moves with the fluidity of a Dreamtime snake, Tibian Wyles, a most able guitarist who is also Assistant Director, Kirk Page who is a well-known, Logie nominated actor and to round off this immensely talented group, is perhaps Australia’s most beloved indigenous leading man, Aaron Pederson. It is flawless, carefully balanced casting. Each actor brings a unique, moving performance that is richly infused with their own life and heritage. It is a fine example of brilliant casting.

There was a standing ovation and many call-backs for the cast. It is a beautifully told story of manhood in any culture, but joyfully, for now, it is our deeply personal story with a 40,000-year background. It is a celebratory story that puts ‘to bed’ petty racial and ownership issues to celebrate excellent theatre. The author, Mayo says, ‘And now, Dad, as your hard exterior becomes brittle with age, I feel you. As dusk reaches your eyes – eyes that were too bright to look upon in my youth – I see you. I understand you, Dad. I love you. I will always be your dear son.’ It is a joyful night out.

Jude Hines

Photographer: David Kelly.