Stage performance | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Stage performance

Module On stage

Australian First Nations stories

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always used performance to share stories, culture and knowledge. Today, traditional elements of First Nations storytelling are often combined with international performance styles to create powerful contemporary theatre.

One of the most influential groups in this space was the National Black Theatre, formed in Sydney by Paul Coe, Lester Bostock, Gary Foley and Jenny Sheehan. They invited actor and playwright Bob Maza to join them, and began developing plays from an Indigenous perspective.

In 1974, the group received government funding and opened an Art and Cultural Centre in Redfern. Although the centre closed in 1977, the National Black Theatre continued to inspire future Indigenous productions and initiatives.

In 1987, the First National Black Playwrights’ Conference was held, led by Brian Syron, with support from leaders including Chicka Dixon, Gary Foley and Rhoda Roberts. This led to the founding of the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust (ANTT) in 1988.

A black and white photograph of a man standing in front of a black background. He has a white beard and black hair. He is staring off camera mid-speech. The picture is surrounded by a thick white frame

Robert McFarlane, Playwright Bob Maza, Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, 1988 / photograph by Robert McFarlane, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-277046507

Robert McFarlane, Playwright Bob Maza, Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, 1988 / photograph by Robert McFarlane, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-277046507

Comedian Roy Rene became a household name in Australian vaudeville. Known for his stage presence and comic timing, his most famous character was Mo McCackie. Alongside Nat Phillips, he performed in the popular pantomime The Bunyip as part of the duo ‘Stiffy and Mo’.

A music book cover of the performance 'Bunyip'. An image of an imagined bunyip takes up the centre of the cover. It looks vaguely like a Chinese dragon crossed with a pig and a cow. It is green and red. Surrounding the Bunyip head are inset portraits of the author, composer and other persons connected with the performance.

Herbert De Pinna & Benjamin J. Fuller (Firm). (1914). Bunyip. nla.gov.au/nla.obj-166857021

Herbert De Pinna & Benjamin J. Fuller (Firm). (1914). Bunyip. nla.gov.au/nla.obj-166857021

Errol Flynn (1909–1959), born in Hobart, gained worldwide fame during the golden age of Hollywood. He starred in many iconic films, including The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). His charm and swashbuckling roles made him a major star of the classical Hollywood cinema era.

A black and white photograph of a man. He has an unbuttoned shirt showing his chest. He is staring off camera. He has a well groomed pencil moustache and a goatee. He has wavy blond hair.

(1937). [Errol Flynn, publicity photograph from one of Flynn's greatest roles, "Robin Hood", 1937] [picture]. nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136642513

(1937). [Errol Flynn, publicity photograph from one of Flynn's greatest roles, "Robin Hood", 1937] [picture]. nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136642513

Costume

Costumes help bring a story to life on stage. They support the style of a production, help establish character, and set the time or place in which the story unfolds.

Kristian Fredrikson was a renowned Australian costume designer. He worked with Opera Australia, the Australian Ballet and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. He also designed for large-scale productions such as the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. His costume designs are known for their detail, elegance and dramatic flair.

Sketch showing costume design featuring a long cape, blue and brown patterns and regal detailing.

Kristian Fredrikson, Costume design for the character of the Duke for Melbourne Theatre Company's production of The revenger's tragedy, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-509653896

Kristian Fredrikson, Costume design for the character of the Duke for Melbourne Theatre Company's production of The revenger's tragedy, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-509653896

Learning activities

Activity 1: Design a performance space

Have the students form a basic model of an imaginary performance space in the same way the geometry model of the shells is shown in this module.

Activity 2: Start with a spark

Task the students to write a small dramatic script starting with choices of opening lines. Example could include ‘It was a dark and stormy night’, ‘Who knew where the mystery had begun?’, ‘Are you looking for me?’. Themes relating to the day’s work could be included and connected to the curriculum elaborations.

Activity 3: From page to stage

Ask students to choose one of their favourite pieces of literature and create a play that captures the meaning of the text and their emotional response to it.

Page published: 21 May 2025

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