Family secrets are revealed in a spellbinding theatre show coming to The Cube Wodonga on March 3.
The double bill Stardust + The Mission features two powerful yet forgotten stories from Australia's past. Audiences will meet two ordinary individuals whose extraordinary lives reverberate to this day.
Stardust was originally commissioned as a radio documentary for ABC Radio National.
It won Best Performance by an Actor (Joel Carnegie) and Best Innovation at the 2017 New York Festivals International Radio Awards.
Stardust is the award-winning story of Col Brain, one of the best jazz musicians of his generation.
Thirty years after Col Brain passed away in 1988, his grandson opened his prized wooden dresser which had been tucked away in a garage, discovering a hidden time capsule of Col's music and memories.
That grandson is ABC presenter, musician and award-winning storymaker Joel Carnegie.
Carnegie worked on the special one-man performance alongside dramaturg James Jackson.
"Col's story has been sitting patiently in a locked wooden dresser for more than 30 years, as a time capsule of treasured memories - it's time for his story to finally be told," Carnegie said.
"This show is a quest to uncover what Col wanted us to know about life through the things he left behind.''
Stardust delves into the story of Col's life, from humble beginnings as an orphan, to the bright lights and promises of Sydney's Trocadero Club, with the story also featuring unforgettably lyrical original music by Australian trumpeter/composer, Nadje Noordhuis.
Also drawing on Australia's rich jazz and brass band traditions, the Wodonga Brass Band will perform live on stage, as one of 25 bands performing in the show's national tour.
After interval, acclaimed Gunditjmara actor Tom Molyneux shares the story of Allan McDonald, his great, great uncle and 'Fighting Gunditjmara' man from South West Victoria, in The Mission.
Uncle Allan was one of Australia's first Aboriginal soldiers from Victoria to enlist for World War I.
This captivating, rollicking, and at times confronting monologue traces the account of a soldier at war, at home and abroad.
The Mission was a labour of love as well as a truth-telling exercise for Molyneux, and was created in collaboration with other Gunditjmara community members, dramaturg James Jackson, and also features striking original music by Nadje Noordhuis.
"The Mission reflects Uncle Allan McDonald's stories and struggles - from fighting for your country at home, to fighting for your country abroad. These are the true stories of Australian history, warts and all," Molyneux said.
Directed by Daniel Lammin, the double bill will bring to life lingering memories and lessons from the past, as told by two Australian storytellers at the top of their game.
Grab your tickets here.
