Big Name, No Blankets

Sammy Butcher is the sole surviving Indigenous musician from the Warumpi Band, which  began in his community of Papunya in NE Arnhem Land and toured enthusiastic communities and then cities here and overseas through the 1980s.  The first to sing in language, the Warumpi Band created anthems which radicalised Australians, black and white, into action on Aboriginal concerns and landrights. The charismatic lead singer, the late George Burarrwanga, was a performer to be reckoned with.  

This world premiere - part theatre, part concert - relives those songs and tells their story.  While Sammy is the consultant, three younger Butcher musicians are involved, while Anyupa Butcher is co-director with Rachael Maza and her Ilbijerri Theatre Company. 

Googoorewon Knox may not have Burarrwanga’s agility, but, starting with the anthem “We gotta be Strong”, he knows how to get us moving.  Baykali Ganambarr playing Sammy has his frontman, having also discovered Jackson Peele as Neil Murray, strumming by the road, an white fella songwriter who has a guitar, an amp and a car.  And so with Teangi Knox (drums) and Aaron McGrath, the Band begins winning Top End fame while touring its “Desert Reggae” and sleeping outdoors (Big Name, No Blankets was the title of their first album).

Tensions arise as some crave a return to country; George convinces the band to visit his on Elcho Island and is flattered by Neil’s dedicated song, “My Island Home”.  Much later he’s furious at Neil for developing a more upbeat version for the Sydney Olympics.  There are frequent dramatic moments like this in Andrea James’ script which promise depth but are left to die away, not helped too by some rambling acting.  And yet it’s still a show with considerable charm and appeal.

James Henry’s sound and back projections of abstracted landscapes and images are transporting; but these performers appear to relish more the concert stage than the dramatic one.  And perhaps the applauding Festival audience felt the same.

Martin Portus

Photographer: Brett Boardman