Local stories
History and culture
Local stories provide the inspiration for our community engagement celebrations. From the Darug legend of Pemulwuy to the farcical tales of Captain Barney in Queensland, we draw on local knowledge when devising performances with the community.
Pemulwuy
The legend of Pemulwuy, the fearless Darug Warrior. was devised and performed through consultation and cooperation with local Indigenous elders and performers. Giant puppets, dance, group choreography and live narration featured strongly in this outdoor performance in Parramatta in January 2010. Commissioned by the NSW Premier‘s Department, it brought the story of Pemulwuy to the wider community.
Ship of Fools
Gladstone Maritime Festival received funding from Festivals Australia to fly us up to Queensland for a short-term residency. Local research focused on the attempt by Colonel Barney to start up a new colony in the town in 1847. Working with local artists and the Gladstone Light Opera Society Youth Group, Circus Solarus wrote, devised and directed a performance using maritime imagery, sea shanties and large puppets.
Spirit of the Lagoon
Circus Solarus worked with Indigenous artists from Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation in Port Kembla to create an outdoor, nighttime performance around Coomaditchie Lagoon. Centred on the impact of industrialisation on the fragile ecosystem, the story was told by the Cumbungi –the reeds of the lagoon. Performance elements included fire sculptures, lighting and projections of paintings by Lorraine Brown and Narelle Thomas, dance performances by Wadi Wadi dance troupe along with local school children and live narration by Sharralyn Robinson, CEO of Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Viva La Gong
Wollongong‘s diverse multicultural community was featured in a festival finale devised by Circus Solarus in 2006. Audience members followed the performers as they made their way across a green urban landscape in search of the Firebird.
Stopping along the way for mini performances by local groups including Vietnamese dancers and Chinese dragon puppeteers, the audience travelled with the performers to the site of a final battle scene incorporating fire, drumming and a soundtrack featuring migrant Dinka singers from Africa.
Your local story
We welcome ideas from you regarding your local community and the stories that need to be told.
See also
Community engagement
Community celebration