Straight from the Strait is an upcoming Torres Strait Island musical about the breaking of a world record. Join Aunty Ruth Ghee, Uncle Luke Captain, Georgia Corowa and Rhianna Patrick in a panel discussion about the details of this performance and why opera was chosen to tell this story.
Entry is free to this event but bookings are essential.
About Straight from the Strait
Straight from the Strait is the name of an upcoming musical set to premiere at the Brisbane Festival in August 2024. This is a tribute to the occurrence on May 8, 1968 where a track laying crew involving mostly Torres Strait Islander workers broke the world record for laying the greatest length of railway in a single day.
This musical theatre production will be based on documented stories from the Torres Strait Islander Railway History families from the 1960s to 1980s. Creatives Aunty Ruth Ghee and Uncle Luke Captain share with Rhianna Patrick how a legacy explored and maintained through the languages of the Torres Strait showcases traditional dance, song and storytelling through opera.
This work is presented by Opera Queensland, Yumpla Nerkep Foundation, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, in association with Brisbane Festival.
About Aunty Ruth Ghee
Since graduating from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in 2001 (Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts), Ruth Ghee has been involved in various forms and expressions within the performing arts, music and entertainment industry. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts (Language and Linguistics) and aims to revive maintain and preserve Australian Indigenous languages, mainly her father’s (Meriam Mir) and mother’s languages through creative practice. For the last 15 years, she has been involved in forming and directing local community choirs and providing 'language in song' workshops in Brisbane and regional areas. The Torres Strait Islands and Aboriginal communities recognise Ruth as a cultural consultant who liaises between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and organisations. Currently she is involved in the production of the Straight from the Strait musical and continues to encourage an awareness and maintenance of culture.
About Uncle Luke Captain
Luke Captain is a Melbourne based Meriam Le from Murray Island in the Eastern Group of the Torres Strait Islands. He is a cultural advisor, singer, songwriter, filmmaker and actor. Luke has directed and produced projects such as Queensland Voices of the Light Chorale, Taba Naba an Island Odyssey at Brisbane Powerhouse and Brisbane’s Mabo Day celebrations in 2012. In 2021 Luke worked with Indigenous playwright Maryann Sam’s Coconut Woman as cultural advisor and actor. He is also community advisor for the upcoming musical Straight from the Strait and is a strong advocate for Torres Strait inclusion and is passionate about Indigenous arts.
About Georgia Corowa
Georgia Corowa, Bundjalung, Kuungkari, South Sea Islander woman is a singer, songwriter based on the island of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), Australia. She was raised with the good things she holds dear - love, music and the saltwater. Georgia’s musical style could best be described as acoustic island, soul. It is a reflection of her strongest memories in her upbringing - learning to play guitar and piano by ear, singing together with family, always in harmony and feeling music through the heart and soul.
Georgia is fortunate to have performed internationally and nationally with a handful of the best in the industry some of them are Xavier Rudd, Emma Donovan, Deline Briscoe, Katie Noonan and Fred Leone. She graduated Performing Arts College, Brisbane in 2008 and since has been performing as a solo artist and within bands. Georgia is currently involved in a First nations and South Sea vocal trio called SugaCane Mamas. Her debut single Like This is out now.
Music has helped her navigate her journey through life, relationships and reconnections back to country. The way she navigates her career as an artist is connected to her truth and grassroots connections. As a proud mother, living on beautiful Minjerribah, Georgia’s feet are planted deep in the heart of the sand and her music is as strong & beautiful as the currents that guided her ancestors home.
About Rhianna Patrick
Rhianna Patrick is a Torres Strait Islander journalist and broadcaster with almost 25 years’ experience. She spent nearly two decades at the ABC and currently divides her time working between Indigenous media company, IndigenousX.com.au and other freelance projects. Each month, Rhianna curates one of Spotify's Indigenous playlists, 'Original Storytellers' and also co-curated the Queensland Museum's major Torres Strait Islander exhibition, Island Futures: What Lies ahead for Zenadth Kes.
Type
Special event
