Comedy has a unique ability to deal with serious matter in a way that other media does not.
It often forces us to laugh at serious issues, and then step back and ask serious questions about them. Bindjareb Pinjarrais an improvised comedy abut a harrowing piece of Australian history: the Pinjarra Massacre of 1834. The event saw the conflict between mounted police and members of the local Nyoongar tribe end in the death of up to 150 people. Only one fatalitiy was on the police’s side.
The massacre of this indigenous community has been retold by the Nyoongar people for generations. Bindjareb Pinjarra is far from a history lesson, however – it is a live, oral retelling of a shared history. With no recorded script, the play grows and changes with each new audience’s interpretation of events and their contributions of contemporary issues. The unique format of the play places emphasis on the way history can be distorted in its retelling.
This ever-changing performance premiered in Perth in 1994 and is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year. One of the original creators, Kelton Pell, is returning to the stage for this season.
Bindjareb Pinjarra will play at the Sydney Opera House from Saturday June 27 – Sunday June 28.
