Award winning double bill performance Stardust and the Mission is heading to the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre on Saturday, 9 April.
The show, which tells the story of two ordinary individuals’ extraordinary lives, has taken the performing arts world by storm featuring award winning ABC presenter and performer Joel Carnegie and up and coming actor Tom Molyneux.
The show is made up of two parts of which tell the stories of Col Brain and Allan McDonald, family members of each of the actors.
Joel and Tom said the show had been very popular and were looking forward to performing in front of the Bundaberg crowd.
“We've never been to Bundaberg before, so we were really excited when we had the opportunity to bring our ‘double bill' of two Australian stories (Stardust + The Mission) to Bundaberg,” they said.
“Everyone's family history is packed full of surprising, inspiring and sometimes crazy stories.
“That's what seems to make audiences fall in love with these two stories, wherever we go!
“Both shows demonstrate the ripple effects that our ancestors and their decisions can have on us, and when placed together, these two stories show the similarities and contrasts of the First Nations and non-Indigenous experiences of overcoming adversity and forging a life of significance, connections and dignity.”
Joel and Tom said they enjoyed touring to different towns and performing with local brass bands to bring the shows to life.
“One of the other great things about this show is that we get to perform with local brass bands everywhere we go,” they said.
“For our Bundaberg show, we will be performing with the Bundaberg Municipal Brass Band, with a six piece ensemble from Bundy Brass performing jazz standards, military marches and original Australian music across the two stories.
“So, we're really looking forward to performing ‘on-stage' with these local musicians!”
With Covid heavily impacting the performing arts industry, Joel and Tom encourage anyone interested in First Nations stories to attend the show.
“After two years, it's so nice to be able to go out for a night at the theatre again!” they said.
“If you're curious about First Nations stories and culture, if you love shows like Australian Story (ABC TV) or Who Do You Think You Are (SBS) or if you just want to experience a night of great storytelling with live music, then you won't want to miss this ‘spellbinding' double bill of two Australian stories.
“We can't wait to see you there!”
STARDUST
Stardust tells the story of bandleader and trumpet player Col Brain.
Before he died, Col placed his most prized life possessions into a cupboard and locked it up, never to be opened again. But what was inside?
Stardust is a heart-warming musical quest with Joel Carnegie, uncovering what Col wanted us to know about his life by the things he left behind.
THE MISSION
The Mission follows “Fighting Gunditjmara” man Allan McDonald off to war.
As one of the first Aboriginal soldiers from Victoria to enlist, Allan fought at Gallipoli and Beersheba, only to be denied a soldier’s settlement upon return and forced from his traditional land.
Told by his great, great nephew, acclaimed Gunditjmara actor Tom Molyneux, THE MISSION tells the truth of Uncle Allan’s struggle, fighting for Country, for love, and for justice.
You can purchase tickets to the show here.
Stardust & The Mission is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and by the RISE Fund; by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria; by Creative Partnerships Australia through ACF Boost; the Robert Salzer Foundation; City of Stonnington and Chapel off Chapel; and the Geelong Arts Centre.
‘Stardust & The Mission' has been created and produced by The Space Company with the 2022 national tour coordinated by Regional Arts Victoria.
This show will be on at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre on Saturday, 9 April.
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