Event |
An Aboriginal Moomba: Out of the Dark
|
Venue |
Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC |
Umbrella Event |
Centenary of Victoria and Jubilee of Commonwealth |
First Date |
23 June 1951 |
Opening Date |
23 June 1951 |
Last Date |
27 June 1951 |
Dates Estimated |
No |
Status |
Professional |
World Premiere |
No |
Description |
Presented as a contribution to the Centenary of Victoria and Jubilee of the Commonwealth Celebrations, Aboriginal Moomba was structured in two parts representing Aboriginal culture in 'The Past' and 'The Present'. 'The Past' dramatized the myth of Toolaba, played by Jacob Chirnside of Cherbourg, who awaited the return of his son Birwain (Harold Blair), his bride Nerida (Dulcie Pitt) and tribal warriors who included Wurrawilberoo (Bill Onus). 'The Present' commenced with 'Tableaus of Progress' and included a contemporary cabaret starring Aboriginal tenor Harold Blair, and Torres Strait Islander, Dulcie Pitt, performing under her stage name, Georgia Lee. A scenic backdrop by Dres Hardingham reinterpreted Albert Namatjira's 'Monoliths of the Legendary Euro, Palm Paddock' with permission from the artist. |
Description Source |
Article |
Primary Genre |
Music Theatre
|
Subjects |
Indigenous Australia
|
Organisations |
|
Contributors |
|
Resources |
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Article:  Christopher Mooney, John Ramsland, Out of the dark: the first successful all-black musical Aboriginal celebrity and protest, Victorian Historical Journal, 78, 1, 2007, 63-79
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Article:  Jack O'Callaghan, Moomba – something to rave about, Courier Mail, 29 June 1951, 2
-
Article:  Sylvia Kleinert, An Aboriginal Moomba: Remaking History, Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies, 13, 3, 1999, 345-357
-
Collection:  Irene Mitchell, Irene Mitchell, State Library of Victoria, 1925
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Photograph:  Joan Hauer, Aboriginal Australian dancers perform on stage for Moomba, State Library of Victoria, 1951
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Programme:  The Australian Aboriginal League, An Aboriginal Moomba: 'Out of the Dark', Princess Theatre, Melbourne, 1951
-
Review:  Frank Doherty, Moomba took us by storm, The Argus, 30 June 1951, 15
-
Review:  Moomba, The Bulletin, 4 July 1951, 19
|
Text Nationality |
Australia
|
Production Nationality |
Australia
|
Further Information |
Description and cast drawn from Kleinert (1999); the cast list may not be complete.
|
Event Status |
Completed
|
Data Source |
Source |
Description |
Programme |
Museum of Victoria |
|
Event Identifier
| 103003 |
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