Book Jimmy Chi Playwright Jimmy Chi Adaptations Bran Nue Dae (2009) | Lyrics Jimmy Chi and Kuckles First performance 1990 Composer Jimmy Chi | |
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Productions 1990 Perth1990–1991 national tour1993 Melbourne/Perth Characters Uncle Tadpole, Father Benedictus, Roadhouse Betty, Rosie, Annie, Slippery, Willie, Roxanne | ||
Bran nue dae original version jimmy chi the kuckles
Bran Nue Dae is a 1990 musical set in Broome, Western Australia, that tells stories and of issues relating to Indigenous Australians. It was written by Jimmy Chi, his band Kuckles and friends and was the first Aboriginal musical. The musical was originally directed by Andrew Ross, a prominent theatre director in Western Australia. The name is a phonetic representation of 'Brand New Day'.
Contents
The musical won the prestigious Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards in 1990. The following year the published script and score won the Special Award in the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.
A documentary Bran Nue Dae tells the story of the creation of the musical.
Film version
The musical has been turned into a feature film directed by Rachel Perkins starring Ernie Dingo, Geoffrey Rush, Jessica Mauboy, Missy Higgins, Deborah Mailman, Magda Szubanski and Dan Sultan.
The film premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival and won the Audience Award for Best Film. It was theatrically released in Australia on 14 January 2010. It debuted with $2.5 million in its first week, solidifying it as a box office hit. It went on to gross over $7 million, making it one of the most successful Australian films of all time.