"A powerful and contemplative performance that challenges the mind and moves the heart."

— ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Timeout

A Moogahlin Performing Arts and Sydney Theatre Company Production

THE VISITORS

By Jane Harrison
Directed by Wesley Enoch

Visitors leave. Right?

On a sweltering day in January 1788, seven clan leaders gather on a sandstone escarpment overlooking the harbour. The attendees, six of them Elders and one new initiate, catch-up, laugh together, share a meal and compare notes. But beyond the friendly banter, protocols, and hospitality, a momentous decision is waiting to be made.

A mysterious fleet of giant nawi is amassing in the harbour and as they creep closer, these seven representatives must choose unanimously: whether to send these strangers on their way or welcome them?

Having recently been awarded Best Mainstage Production and Best Ensemble at the 2023 Sydney Theatre Awards, Muruwari playwright Jane Harrison’s The Visitors embarks on a national tour directed by one of Australia’s most celebrated directors, Quandamooka man Wesley Enoch (The Sunshine Club, Black Cockatoo).

The Visitors is at once a riveting, deeply researched insight into one of the most impactful and painful days in Australia’s history, and a hugely entertaining study of how communities respond to change and the unknown.

At BMEC, The Visitors is a special event as part of Dhuluny (dhu-loin) 1824-2024: 200 Years of Wiradyuri Resistance. A post show seated supper and Q&A will take place in the BMEC Showroom. Read more about Dhuluny.

CREATIVE TEAM BILLING
PlaywrightJane Harrison
DirectorWesley Enoch
Remount Associate DirectorAidan Rowlingson
Associate DirectorLiza-Mare Syron
Cultural LiaisonAunty Yvonne Simms
Set & Costume DesignerElizabeth Gadsby
Associate DesignerShana O’Brien
Lighting DesignerKaren Norris
Composer & Sound DesignerBrendon Boney
Associate Sound DesignerAmy Flannery
Senior Dharug & Dharawal Language TeacherCorina Norman
Dharug & Dharawal Language TeacherJordan Ryan-Hennessey
Voice CoachCharmian Gradwel
Fight DirectorNigel Poulton
Production ManagerBecky Russell
Stage ManagerPeter Sutherland
Assistant Stage ManagerJade Walker
CAST BILLING
Sean Dow
Stephen Geronimos
Beau Dean Riley Smith
Dalara Williams
John Blair
James Slee
Zoe Walters

 

"powerful, authentic First Nations storytelling"

— ★ ★ ★ ★ The Guardian

Let's Talk About Racism

Promotion of this event has generated some racism within the broader Central West community in particular on social media. BMEC does not endorse this regularly monitoring our social media channels to respond, hide and/or delete inappropriate comments. Albeit imperfectly.

The following information and resources have been provided to us by leaders within the Aboriginal community to assist everyone, but particularly mob, with any racism that appears during the marketing campaign for this production.

Addressing Racism on Social Media

Addressing racism on social media requires understanding that users who spread racist misinformation do so differently, sometimes compounding multiple forms of racism in just one post.

Bystander intervention includes callouts, efforts to educate or offer proof, and content moderation.

Users can respond to racist misinformation by linking to external sources like https://aiatsis.gov.au/ or https://www.lowitja.org.au/ https://indigenousx.com.au/

There are several techniques for combating online racism, but not all of them are equally effective. For instance, education and evidence-based or content-moderated discourse are prosocial techniques. These reactions to racist posts foster dialogue in the same way that they seek to debunk racist rhetoric.

Users who want to speak out against online racism must consider the purpose of their interactions. If they want to reduce the presence of racism on social media, they must keep in mind that certain approaches may have the opposite effect. Some methods, such as ridicule, and insults, are antisocial. These methods failed to minimize the hostility amongst users.

Silence and inaction do nothing but cause biased perpetrator behaviours to increase as they feel unquestioned. Targeted aggressions can have real consequences on Aboriginal people’s mental and physical health.

When bystanders step in and help to make aggressions visible, disarm the situation, educate the perpetrator, and seek external reinforcement or support, these approaches provide crucial support in preventing some of the most detrimental effects.

See more about how to deal with racism on social media

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-23/how-to-deal-with-racism-on-social-media/12827648

Reporting Racism

CALL IT OUT: A FIRST NATIONS RACISM REGISTER – https://callitout.com.au/

Call It Out is a simple and secure way for people to report incidents of racism and discrimination towards First Nations Peoples. These reports are collected, held securely and analysed by Jumbunna Research to inform annual reports to help raise awareness and drive systematic change.

All reports of racism and discrimination can be made to Call It Out: anything that you feel is unfair or unjust towards First Nations People based on race can be reported (e.g. interpersonal or structural bias, prejudice, or discrimination). You can tell us as much or as little as you like in your report.

Making a report can be distressing and traumatic, please take care and if you need support you can contact:
– 13YARN: Call 13 92 76 or visit www.13yarn.org.au
– Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au/

You can make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. You can also have someone such as a solicitor, advocate or trade union make a complaint on your behalf. https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/complaint-information-service/complaints-under-racial-discrimination-act

Support Services

Brother to Brother

Call 1800 435 799

 

24/7 Crisis Line for Aboriginal men. The line is staffed by Aboriginal men and Elders who a lived experience of various issues.

https://www.dardimunwurro.com.au/brother-to-brother/

Well Mob

Well Mob is a social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online platform.

https://wellmob.org.au/

13 YARN

Call 13 92 76

13YARN (Thirteen YARN) is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. 13 YARN offers a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Event and Ticket Details

Accessibility
Hearing Aid Loop Wheelchair Access
Location
Ian Macintosh Theatre 105 William St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Get Directions
Prices

A Reserve
BMEC Members Adults $39 / Concession $33
Non-Members Adults $45 / Concession $39
Groups 10+ $39

B Reserve
BMEC Members Adults $33 / Concession $29
Non-Members Adults $39 / Concession $33
Groups 10+ $33

C Reserve
BMEC Members Adults $29 / Concession $23
Non-Members Adults $33 / Concession $29
Groups 10+ $29

D Reserve
BMEC Members $15
Non-Members $19
Groups 10+ $15

A $3 transaction fee applies for Non-Member ticket purchases

Event Notes

This production contains infrequent coarse language, themes of racial violence, descriptions of violence, intergenerational trauma, and theatrical haze.

Production images by Daniel Boud are from the cast in 2023. The cast will be slightly different in 2024.

Menu
Menu

Search Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre