A high-voltage fusion of drama, dance, music and song, 'Blak Electric' tells the story of three young Indigenous people living in urban Brisbane.
Featuring more than forty artists from the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts (ACPA) and a live band on stage, 'Black Electric' connects the three main characters to country and culture. And they all must short circuit preconceived notions about what it means to be a young Indigenous Australian in 2014.
Directed by “Broadway Baby” Stephen Llod Helper, ('Smokey Joe's Cafe' and 'Fiddler On The Roof') the production channels a cheeky and irreverent energy, the students forge connections with each other and the wider world around them to explode stereotypes and find a way forward. No compromises. No holds barred.
Starting his career at Yale where he graduated (BA) from its renowned Theatre Studies programme in directing, dramaturgy and playwriting, Stephen then went to New York City and immediately began a series of apprenticeships. Stephen's work is responsive to Australian society and his productions embrace its multi-cultural reality both in production and mainstream development.
Describe this production in a sentence?
'Blak Electric' is a 21st century song, story and dance extravaganza by a new, dynamic, Indigenous generation.
Your fav scene in the show and why?
Every scene is a fav because each is so honest, so funny and so complex. The performers shine in every one. If I HAVE to choose, then the finale, because the whole show comes together in a fantastic new title song by Deadly Award winner Marcus Corowa.
Fill in the blanks:
‘Blak Electric’ will ... be a triumph ... and leaves you ... joyous … but won’t … ever be boring ... and is surprisingly … cheeky.
© Dylan EvansHow far into your career were you when you go to work on Broadway?
Just beginning! My first show after uni! I’m a true ‘Broadway Baby’.
How does Australian theatre compare to New York and London?
It can be as good as their best and equal to their worst. The biggest difference the lack of independent producers in Australia on the larger stages. I am one of very few.
How do you define success?
Making a difference.
Does 'Blak Electric' have an educational aspect?
All great theatre does and I hope this one is great. Of course it is educational for the ACPA performers who are learning a whole new level of professionalism and commitment in the process of creating this work. However, it is also educational for audiences who may find their preconceptions about Indigenous people to be wrong!
What do you want audiences to say as they leave?
WOW! WOW! WOW!
What will you be saying to yourself on opening night?
“I am so proud of them.”
Anything else readers should know?
The score is a fantastic collection of songs by Earth Wind and Fire, Paul Simon, Marcus Corowa, Stevie Wonder and the latest songs/music from ACPA writers Manduway Dutton, Jay Bushby, Leonard Donahue, Liam Talty, Dimple Bani and Gustacious. The script is based on some cutting edge improvisations, word play with a touch of Shakespeare.
