Marrugeku's Jurrungu Ngan-ga/Straight Talk, which recently concluded its run at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, was a powerful and provocative dance production confronting Australia's treatment of First Nations people and refugees.
Created by dance company Marrugeku with performers, artistic directors and marginalised communities, this collaborative work explored complex themes through dance.
Having interviewed co-artistic director Rachael Swain before the performance, I had some idea of what to expect. But nothing could have prepared me for how impactful the show was.
Running for about 80 minutes, the production skilfully balanced moments of uncomfortable laughter with heart-wrenching scenes to create an intricate emotional exploration of the experiences shown on stage. I sat, with my hand over my heart, jaw on the ground and tears in my eyes, in awe. The show was as uplifting as it was gut-wrenching.
The minimalist set design by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah was ingeniously versatile, transforming from prison cells to a celebratory table to dance on. Damien Cooper's lighting design and the use of CCTV footage on stage reinforced the themes of surveillance in confinement.
Jurrungu Ngan-ga drew inspiration from recognisable media moments, such as the disturbing brutality at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre and Manus Island Regional Processing Centre, as well as broader pop culture references. A standout moment reimagined Childish Gambino's This is America music video as a commentary on Australia's cultural climate.
One of the most powerful segments involved the cast reciting names of those who have died in custody or due to systemic issues in Australia.
As Patrick Dodson, Marrugeku's patron, said, "We are a nation of jailers." This performance embodied that statement, challenging us to reckon with our collective responsibility.
In a Q&A after the work, directors Rachael Swain and Dalisa Pigram joined the cast on stage. Answering a question about audience members walking out mid-show, they agreed that walkouts were a sign of a job well done. Those who cannot bear their discomfort during the performance will take their thoughts and feelings home to sit with. The same is true for those who stay.
Jurrungu Ngan-ga/Straight Talk offered audiences the chance to engage in the experiences of marginalised communities. It served as a crucial voice to the ongoing dialogue about justice, identity and human rights in Australia. Days after seeing it, I found myself still processing the powerful performance and emotions it brought up. Ultimately, this was one of the show's greatest strengths – its ability to stay in the minds of those who have seen it, long after the curtains closed.
