AustLit

'Opera Australia and the Yarrabah Indigenous Community of Far North Queensland join forces for this world premiere musical. Directed by Rhoda Roberts, this innovative production tells the stories and history of Yarrabah through spoken word, dance and song, performed with a live band and featuring an original score by Shenzo Gregorio, with choreography by Marilyn Miller. Featuring many of the young people and elders of the Yarrabah Community, alongside artists Casey Donovan, Troy Brady and Nick Backstrom, 'YARRABAH! The Musical' is both striking and extraordinary.

'Yarrabah! The Musical' is over two years in the making, brought about by ongoing conversations between Opera Australia's Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini and the people of Yarrabah. It is part of Opera Australia's ongoing commitment to telling a broad range of Australian stories, building them from the grass roots and making genuine connections with communities.

The production takes place in Bishop Malcolm Park at the end of August [2012] with audiences sitting out on the grass surrounded by Yarrabah's natural beauty. There are two performances, the first of which is closed for the community. The final evening performance will be a public performance and a true celebration of the enduring culture of Yarrabah itself.' (Source : http://www.opera-australia.org.au/whatson/community/yarrabah)