Inclusive Theatre: The Bulimba Opera Brings Brisbane History To Life

Australia's first inclusive opera brings to the stage the story of Brisbane in World War II.

'The Bulimba Opera' follows the story of Jimmy, a pilot in World War II, flying documents for the war effort. The show weaves a local tale of love, heartbreak, drama and the unpredictability of war told by powerful cast.

Brisbane-based theatre company Blue Roo Theatre Company – who will present the work– provides performers with disabilities a platform to showcase their talents. By creating high-level theatre performances, they challenge perspectives on learning disabilities and forge a supportive and stimulating creative space for their cast of actors and singers.

'The Bulimba Opera' is Blue Roo Theatre Company's follow up to their highly successful 2014 Judith Wright Centre musical show 'Song Circle', a performance of 12 original songs celebrating Blue Roo's ensemble vision of independence.

{youtube}XSk9hdF3cs0{/youtube}
Clark Crystal, the Artistic Director of Blue Roo theatre Company Inc. and Celebrating Diversity in Theatre, describes the production:

How did Blue Roo Theatre Company first begin?
I had just returned to Australia after spending the last seven years in Edinburgh as the first full-time Artistic Director of inclusive theatre company Lung Ha. And I wanted to bring my inclusive theatre practice back, I wanted to create a company here in Brisbane. I approached Karen Martin, the centre manager of HAND/ Centracare Disability Services, Queensland. A one-off drama workshop took place in April 2009 and we haven’t look back since.

What is the story behind the creation of 'The Bulimba Opera'?
In 2013 I asked the company 'what is going to be our next project?' An overwhelming response – Blue Roo wanted to sing. I approached the industry leaders, Opera Queensland, who had just launched their community programme, Open Stage. A creative partnership and collaboration was formed over three years. Our first project together was 'Song Circle'. Personal stories and themes from the Blue Roo Company members sung on stage with two Opera Queensland singers. Musically we wanted to challenge ourselves further as the collaboration evolved and 'The Bulimba Opera' is our next step.



What is the driving force behind The Bulimba Opera?
Blue Roo is a large company of 28 artists. It is important a world is created that includes everyone. We decided on locating the opera in a community, a relevant community, as it happens it became the Bulimba community during WW2. The other driving force is the theatrical form of 'The Bulimba Opera'.

Its origins are based around an opera ballad written in the 1720s in London by John Gay called 'The Beggar’s Opera'. Gay wanted to write an opera about the real lives of people living in London of the day as opposed to the fantastic worlds of the operas written at the time. He borrowed famous English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish folk melodies and replaced the lyrics with the libretto for 'The Beggars Opera'.

'The Bulimba Opera' is similar in borrowing famous Australian folk songs all within the public domain, replacing the lyrics and writing the libretto for it. We set the opera in Bulimba as it was very different during WW2 as it is now and there were robust characters the company could create.

Is it based on historical facts?
Indeed. The theatrical location of the opera is placed in the famous Balmoral Pub of the day. The locals lived their lives under the threat of air strikes by the Japanese. We address the racial tensions between the Chinese labours working for the Americans building barges and the locals. We have an appearance by General Douglas MacArthur.



Tackling an opera is a huge undertaking, how did you approach that challenge?
Every project for Blue Roo is a huge undertaking. It takes one year for Blue Roo to create a one-hour production. We are collaborating with opera specialists in Opera Queensland. It is a slow evolving creative process and it seemed to be a natural progress. It is our inclusive operatic form.

How large is the the Blue Roo cast for this production?
Blue Roo has 28 artists all performing alongside 4 singers from Opera Queensland plus a signing interpretor all on stage. Also an orchestra of 7 musicians.

This is Blue Roo's first opera, is the cast excited about the opportunity?
It is Blue Roo first opera, in fact it is Australia’s first ever inclusive opera. And there is so much excitement in the rehearsal space it is explosive.



What is your advice for anyone with a disability looking to get into the performing arts?
Keep knocking on all doors. Keep asking the creative arts industry. Someone will guide you to find people who share similar dreams to tell stories on stage. Don’t give up.

What can we expect from the performance?
We want 'The Bulimba Opera' to connect emotionally with its audience through the storytelling of song. To challenge audience perceptions of inclusive theatre and to walk out of the theatre feeling the joy of being human.

'The Bulimba Opera' plays the Judith Wright Centre 5-7 November.