Guuranda

by JACOB BOEHME (IDJA)

70mins (no interval)

Welcome to Narungga Country. You’ve been warned.

Guuranda is a monumental new theatre work telling the Narungga Creation stories of South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula from Narungga/Kaurna theatre-maker Jacob Boehme.

Commissioned by Adelaide Festival, Guuranda has been created by a collective of First Nations artists, Narungga Elders and non-Indigenous artists. It is written and directed by Jacob Boehme with artwork by Narungga visual artist Kylie O’Loughlin and sung by Narungga songwoman Sonya Rankine and songman Warren Milera, supported by the Narungga Family Choir.

Taking its title from the Narungga language name for the Yorke Peninsula, Guuranda tells of a people and place that teach us about being human, drawing on history to speak into the present. These ancient stories are not myths, nor are they old, quaint tales. These stories are vital, violent, delightful and dangerous. They are stories to charm, shock and instruct audiences of all ages.

Effortlessly weaving together theatre, song, puppetry, dance and visual art, Guuranda shares stories that offer insight and balance, with chaos and death ever-present. You must look, listen and tread carefully.

Guuranda has been commissioned by Adelaide Festival and produced by Insite Arts.

Artistic Director, Writer & Choreographer

Jacob Boehme

Narungga Elders/Dramaturges/Cultural Consultants

Aunty Lynette Newchurch
Aunty Deanna Newchurch
Uncle Rex Angie
Uncle Edward Newchurch

Senior Consulting Elders

Uncle Lewis O’Brien
Aunty Pauline O’Brien
Aunty Lynette Crocker
Uncle Kevin ‘Dookie’ O’Loughlin

Narungga Songman/Songwoman

Warren Milera
Sonya Rankine

Associate-Choreographers & Performers

Caleena Sansbury
Cheeky Chandler
Edan Porter
Jada Narkle
Jordan O’Davis
Luke Currie Richardson
Shana O’Brien
Zoe Brown-Holten

Artistic Team

Narungga Song Woman & Translator: Sonya Rankine
Translator: Tanya Wanganeen
Visual Artist: Kylie O’Loughlin
Composer: James Henry
Dramaturge: Chris Mead
Staging & Lighting Design: Jenny Hector
Audio-Visual Design: Keith Deverell
Costume Design: Kathryn Sproul
Puppet Designer & Maker: Philip Millar
Leatherworker: Sue Manski
Movement Coach: Rinske Ginsburg

Premiere Production Team

Production Manager: Nathan Evers
Stage Manager: Cecily Rabey
Assistant Stage Manager: Zsuzsa GM

Premiere Producers – Insite Arts International

Executive Producer: Jason Cross
Associate Producer: Stella Webster

NARUNGGA FAMILY CHOIR

Choir Director: Grace Robinson
Choir Facilitator: Jessica Vangelista
Choir Audio Engineer: Patrick Telfer

Choir Performers:
Richard ‘Shaggy’ Brown
Damien Brown
Jacob Brown
Anja Cruse
Jacynta Lehtinen
Luke Picone
Natalie Pocervina
Kelly Rossi
Jodie Seiuli
Faith Seiuli
Kayla Seiuli
Christian Seiuli
Alyssa Siale
Elke Smirl
Tegan Smirl
Markeeta Smith
Jaimie Taunoa
Paulie Taunoa
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Rua Taunoa
Taree Taunoaa
KC Taunoa
Jessica Vangelista
Isabella Vangelista
Kaarl Waldorp
Jacob Boehme

Audio Engineer

Craig Pilkington – Audrey Studios

Session Musicians

Guitar: Gary Watling
Percussion: Alexander Meagher
Drumkit: Chris Lewis
Tenor Trombone & Bass Trombone: Adrian Sherriff
Trumpet: Eugene Ball
French Horn: Cinzia Posega

Commissioning & Presentation Partner

Adelaide Festival

Government funders

RISE fund
Arts SA
Creative Australia
Creative Victoria

Other sponsors & supporters

Tandanya
Bunjil Place
Opera Australia
Insite Arts
Wilin Centre, Faculty of Fine Arts & Music, The University of Melbourne
State Theatre Company South Australia
Circus Oz