Dear Brother
By Lenny Donahue and Tibian Wyles
Directed by Isaac Drandic
THE RIGHT TO A RITE OF PASSAGE.
Young men from different corners of Queensland blow into the big smoke burning with unbridled energy, desire and confusion. Each of them filled with the need to escape, to make something of their lives, to defy the hand that life has dealt them. An individual ignition has driven them all to Brisbane but something else — something ancestral — will bring them together.
Caught between adolescence and adulthood, these young fellas will converge and wrestle with themselves, each other, their ghosts and a deep-etched sense of duty to Country. Together they’ll lay themselves bare and bond as brothers over what it means to be a young Aboriginal man in 2024.
This high energy work, presented with BlakDance as part of Brisbane Festival, is all about giving today’s young Murri men a voice, one that challenges the narrative around public perceptions of Aboriginal masculinity.
Using dance, music and poetry, this form-defying work features Djabuganjdji man Lenny Donahue and Girramay and Kalkadoon man Tibian Wyles in a tour-de-force performance that is as physical as it is heartfelt.
View Program 2024 Education Calendar
$25 BLAKTIX for First Nations community
BLAKTIX are available for all performances of Dear Brother. These are discounted tickets available to people who identify — and are accepted as such by their community — as being of First Nations descent, in support of our commitment to equity and access.
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Dates7 — 28 Sep
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LocationBille Brown Theatre
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TimesEvenings: Mon & Tues 6.30pm, Wed – Sat 7.30pm
Matinees: Wed 1.00pm, Sat 2.00pm
Relaxed Performance: Wednesday 18 September at 1:00pm - Buy Tickets
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Ticket PricingAdultfrom$70Seniorfrom$70Concessionfrom$70Youth - 35 & Underfrom$35
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Night with the Artists
Monday 16 Sep 6.30pm
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Duration1 hour and 30 minutes, no interval
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AccessibilityAuslan Interpreted Monday 23 Sep 6.30pmAudio Described Saturday 21 Sep 2.00pm
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Play briefing
Monday 2 Sep 6.00pm
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WarningThis production contains coarse language and adult themes, including depictions of violence, discrimination and racism. It also contains the use of theatrical smoke, haze and complete lighting blackouts. Recommended for ages 15+. If you or someone you know ne...
This production contains coarse language and adult themes, including depictions of violence, discrimination and racism. It also contains the use of theatrical smoke, haze and complete lighting blackouts.
Recommended for ages 15+.
If you or someone you know needs information or support, these organisations are there to help:
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
Headspace headspace.org.au
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Dates7 — 28 Sep
-
LocationBille Brown Theatre
-
TimesEvenings: Mon & Tues 6.30pm, Wed – Sat 7.30pm
Matinees: Wed 1.00pm, Sat 2.00pm
Relaxed Performance: Wednesday 18 September at 1:00pm - Buy Tickets
-
Ticket PricingAdultfrom$70Seniorfrom$70Concessionfrom$70Youth - 35 & Underfrom$35
-
Night with the Artists
Monday 16 Sep 6.30pm
-
Duration1 hour and 30 minutes, no interval
-
AccessibilityAuslan Interpreted Monday 23 Sep 6.30pmAudio Described Saturday 21 Sep 2.00pm
-
Play briefing
Monday 2 Sep 6.00pm
-
WarningThis production contains coarse language and adult themes, including depictions of violence, discrimination and racism. It also contains the use of theatrical smoke, haze and complete lighting blackouts. Recommended for ages 15+. If you or someone you know ne...
This production contains coarse language and adult themes, including depictions of violence, discrimination and racism. It also contains the use of theatrical smoke, haze and complete lighting blackouts.
Recommended for ages 15+.
If you or someone you know needs information or support, these organisations are there to help:
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
Headspace headspace.org.au
Creatives
Co-Writers Lenny Donahue and Tibian Wyles
Director and Movement Dramaturg Isaac Drandic
Set Designer Kevin O’Brien
Costume Designer Delvene Cockatoo-Collins
Lighting Designer David Walters
Composer and Sound Designer Brendon Boney
Sound Design Realiser Wil Hughes
Choreographer Waangenga Blanco
Costume Mentor Nathalie Ryner
Contributing Artists
Choreography Contributors Lenny Donahue, Benjin Maza, Tibian Wyles
Collaborators Benjin Maza, Jeremy Ambrum, Sydney Narrier, Joella Warkill, Emily Wells, Merindah Donnelly
Language Collaborators Dennis Hunter, The Djabugay Community
Stage Management
Stage Manager Sarah Connolly
Assistant Stage Manager Sophie Watkins
Cast
Ezra Lenny Donahue
Jazz Benjin Maza
Dad/Uncle Max/Grandad Kelton Pell
Destyn Tibian Wyles