Right: The late Albert Namatjira, pictured in 1958.By Nicole Williams
ALBERT Namatjira’s story will bring his experiences from Australia’s red centre into Dandenong’s Drum Theatre.
Namatjira, the stage presentation, tells the story of Namatjira, from his childhood near Alice Springs to his success as an international artist.
He was recognised as the first Aboriginal citizen of Australia, which provided “luxuries” such as the right to vote and buy alcohol, but he was also jailed for providing alcohol to his family.
A fateful meeting with fellow artist Rex Battarbee in 1934 opened Namatjira’s eyes to a different way of painting – the landscape as it was seen rather than what it meant.
His talent led him on a path to fame as an internationally successful artist.
The story is told by Trevor Jamieson and brought to life by third-generation watercolour artists who create expansive works on stage.
Greater Dandenong’s cultural facilities director Greg Hordacre said the stage performance was a great combination of theatre and art.
“Namatjira combines theatre and art with Namatjira’s own grandchildren helping to tell the artist’s story while filling the stage with a huge landscape painting right before our eyes,” Mr Hordacre said.
The stage performance is touring Australia and will stop in Dandenong on Thursday 1 September for five performances.
Namatjira is part of a long-term arts and community development project by Big hArt, working in Alice Springs and Hermannsburg with the extended Namatjira family.
The project began 2009, 50 years after Namatjira’s death, to celebrate his life and legacy.
Namatjira will be shown at the Drum Theatre from Thursday September 1 to Saturday September 4 at 8pm, and at 10.30am on Thursday only.
Tickets can be booked by calling 9771 6666 or visiting www.drumtheatre.com.au
Thursday’s evening performance will also have a pre-show business networking event from 7pm for those that do business in Dandenong. For details about the networking event call Arabelle on 97716611 or email arabelle.danielson@cgd.vic.gov.au
