An engaging, insightful snapshot of one of the most significant and painful days in Australia’s history, and a timely study of how communities respond to unfamiliar people.

On a day in January 1788, seven clan leaders, six of them Elders and one new initiate, catch-up, laugh together, share a meal and consider a momentous decision. A mysterious fleet of giant nawi (ships) is amassing in the harbour, and these leaders must choose whether to send these strangers on their way or welcome them.

September to October 2023 – what a time for this production, first staged in 2020, to make its return to the stage. A referendum meant to unite the country sees racism and selfishness prevail, and The Visitors becomes more than the compelling story, and fantastic First Nations production, to present a strong and poignant statement of unity and strength.

It goes without saying on this site that the reviews are written by me, Chantelle, a white woman with no Indigenous heritage. So, all of my opinions are given in a context that doesn’t include lived experience. Saying that, the standout for me of playwright Jane Harrison’s story is how organic the Indigenous rites, languages and diversity are in the way they have been embedded throughout the story.

First Nations languages from the different clans represented in the story, those in and around Gadigal land, and English weave together in easily free flowing dialogue. There’s banter, sniping, anger, contemplation, and fierce pride. It reclaims a lot of Invasion Day in presenting it from multiple Indigenous perspectives, rather than portraying a single perspective as the entire First Nations experience, which Australian retellings of history often do. We have Gary, the Bureaucrat/Numbers Man (Guy Simon), Lawrence the Almost Initiated (Joseph Wunujaka Althouse), Gordon the General (Aaron Pedersen), Albert the Engineer (Beau Dean Riley Smith), Jaky the Joker (Elaine Crombie), Wallace the Anthropologist/Philosopher (Dalara Williams) and Joseph the Doctor/Healer (Kyle Morrison). Crombie and Williams are difficult to take your eyes off, Crombie bringing a huge amount of energy and conviction in her role as the warrior leader with a larrakin side and Williams more quietly captivating as contemplative Wallace.

At the same time, The Visitors presents history in a way that helps the audience understand it in modern terms. As it’s a story in which a group of leaders meet under clear professional protocols, discuss issues relevant to their peoples, and make decisions, the cast wears business clothes as they meet on the cliffs by the ocean. In facing unfamiliar people arriving from sea, their conversations span genuine consideration of the impact of their arrival and fear based on their skin colour, stereotypes each of them have developed through limited experience with previous visitors, a clear and uncomfortable parallel to conversations we hear about people from refugee, migrant and, still, Indigenous backgrounds today. It lets us relate to the story from our own lives, contrasts the moment in history and its continued impact and relevance to today.

Purchase your ticket to The Visitors here.

Chardonnay | Wine Pairing

The winemaking process for a rich, oaky, creamy Chardonnay takes time and respect for the varietal and its fermentation process.

The Visitors, Sydney Theatre Company and Moogahlin Performing Arts | Tasting Notes

Aussie Season	16 Sept to 28 Oct 2023, Multiple Theatres, Sydney Theatre Company and Moogahlin Performing Arts
Ticket $	$57-109
Writer	Jane Harrison
Director	Wesley Enoch
Theatre Type & Genre	Play, drama
See it if you like	First Nations stories
Wine Pairing	Chardonnay
Criteria for Wine Pairing	Long maturation, leading to the development of deep, rich flavours