Big Name, No Blankets - Theatre Production - “Blackfella/Whitefella"

The ILBIJERRI Theatre Company’s production of “Big Name, No Blankets” had its first preview in Sydney on 10 January 2024. It tells the story of one of Australia’s most important Aboriginal bands, Warumpi Band, from the perspective of founding member and lead guitarist, Sammy Butcher. The band formed in the central Australian settlement of Papunya in 1980. I had the privilege of seeing them a couple of times during those early years, and this production really took me back to those days. Much of their story has already been told by Neil Murray but this musical tells it from a different perspective, from that of Luritja culture in the 1980’s, placing special emphasis on family and country.
For most people in the audience, myself included, it was all about the music. The band at the back of the stage did an incredible job of recreating the original tracks. Two of Sammy’s sons were in the stage band, so Warumpi DNA was strong in the music. While the actor who played George (Googoorewon Knox) didn’t bear any close physical resemblance, he certainly had George’s mannerism down pat, and it didn’t take long to imagine George once again dominating the stage.
‘Blackfella/Whitefella’ was always going to be the encore and I didn’t think those standing up around me, singing and clapping along, would mind me videoing it too much. Unfortunately, the sound levels have been a little flattened by my camera, causing the song to be a little ‘muddier’ than it was in the theatre.
A wonderful production by all those involved on and off stage. So good to hear those wonderful songs live again.