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Jimi Bani. Photo by Daniel Boud.
y separately published work icon My Name Is Jimi single work   drama  
Issue Details: First known date: 2017... 2017 My Name Is Jimi
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Mabuiag Island: a remote speck in the sparkling blue of the Torres Strait. Thousands of years of rich history and culture, with just a few hundred people keeping its flame. Now its favourite son is joking in three languages with his grandmother and torturing his son with spontaneous public break-dancing. Charismatic actor Jimi Bani (Mabo, The Straits, Redfern Now) whisks you away to his island for an eveing of music, dance, stand-up and storytelling.

'Four generations of one family take the stage, as Jimi's grandmother, mother, son and brothers help him spin yarns of totems, traditions and childhood memories. The islanders have lived through dark times and light, and this intimate show examines the challenges and tragedies they have faced with hope, honesty and humour, looking towards a bright tomorrow.

'My Name is Jimi is the story of a small community of people clinging tightly to each other, and fighting to protect what really matters, in whirling chaos of a rapidly changing world.' (Production summary)

Production Details

  • Presented by Queensland Theatre, the Centre of Contemporary Arts and the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. World Premiere Cairns : Centre of Contemporary Arts 12-15 July : Brisbane, Bille Brown Studio, Queensland Theatre 22 July-13 August 2017.

    Director: Jason Klarwein.

    Designers: Simona Cosentini and Simone Tesorieri.

    Lighting Designer: Daniel Anderson.

    Sound and Projection Designer: Justin Harrison.

    Cast: Dmitri Ahwang-Bani, Agnes Bani, Conwell Bani, Jimi Bani, Petharie Bani and Richard Bani.

    A Queensland Theatre production co-presented with Sydney Festival. Indigenous theatre at Belvoir supported by The Balnaves Foundation : Performed at the Belvoir Upstairs Theatre, Surry Hills, New South Wales : 5-21 January 2018.

    Cast and crew as above.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2017
    • Fortitude Valley, Fortitude Valley - New Farm area, Brisbane - North East, Brisbane, Queensland,: Playlab , 2022 .
      image of person or book cover 3714835323119720675.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 44p.
      ISBN: 9781922424532
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

Jimi Bani Neha Kale , 2022 single work column
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 28 May - 3 June 2022; 'A book of Torres Strait Island legends illustrated by his grandfather inspired Jimi Bani to discover his heritage. By Neha Kale.'
My Name Is Jimi Review – Jimi Bani Welcomes Us to His Tribe in Rare Gift of a Show Clarissa Sebag-Montefiore , 2018 single work column
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 11 January 2018;

'Soon to be ninth chief of his Torres Strait islander tribe, Bani brings his family on stage to keep his culture – and our laughs – alive.' 
My Name Is Jimi Is a Four-generation Torres Strait History on Stage Caroline Wake , 2018 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 12 January 2018;
— Review of My Name Is Jimi Dimple Bani , Jimi Bani , Jason Klarwein , 2017 single work drama

'The people and stories of the Torres Strait rarely appear on Sydney’s stages. When they do, it is often under the label of “Indigenous” — a term that conflates very different cultures and histories and erases the specificity of these islands as well as the diversity within them. There are, for a start, 15 inhabited islands that fall into five groups; residents speak two languages and several dialects; and there’s a large diaspora on the mainland.' (Introduction)
Jimi Bani Comes Full Circle with New Show Aaron Smith , 2017 single work column
— Appears in: Torres News , 25 September - 1 October no. 1285 2017; (p. 4)

For Torres Strait Islander actor/writer Jimi Bani, performing his new theatre show at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island was like coming full circle.'
Solid Program for Sydney Festival 2017 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 1 November no. 663 2017; (p. 4)

'Sydney Festival director Wesley Enoch has announced a strong Indigenous program for next year.'
My Name Is Jimi Is a Four-generation Torres Strait History on Stage Caroline Wake , 2018 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 12 January 2018;
— Review of My Name Is Jimi Dimple Bani , Jimi Bani , Jason Klarwein , 2017 single work drama

'The people and stories of the Torres Strait rarely appear on Sydney’s stages. When they do, it is often under the label of “Indigenous” — a term that conflates very different cultures and histories and erases the specificity of these islands as well as the diversity within them. There are, for a start, 15 inhabited islands that fall into five groups; residents speak two languages and several dialects; and there’s a large diaspora on the mainland.' (Introduction)
His Name Is Jimi Bani... 2017 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 28 June no. 654 2017; (p. 16)
Solid Program for Sydney Festival 2017 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 1 November no. 663 2017; (p. 4)

'Sydney Festival director Wesley Enoch has announced a strong Indigenous program for next year.'
My Name Is Jimi Review – Jimi Bani Welcomes Us to His Tribe in Rare Gift of a Show Clarissa Sebag-Montefiore , 2018 single work column
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 11 January 2018;

'Soon to be ninth chief of his Torres Strait islander tribe, Bani brings his family on stage to keep his culture – and our laughs – alive.' 
Jimi Bani Comes Full Circle with New Show Aaron Smith , 2017 single work column
— Appears in: Torres News , 25 September - 1 October no. 1285 2017; (p. 4)

For Torres Strait Islander actor/writer Jimi Bani, performing his new theatre show at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island was like coming full circle.'
Jimi Bani Neha Kale , 2022 single work column
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 28 May - 3 June 2022; 'A book of Torres Strait Island legends illustrated by his grandfather inspired Jimi Bani to discover his heritage. By Neha Kale.'
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (6)

Awards

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Last amended 21 Jun 2023 11:32:08
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