Ingkata is a unique, bi-cultural contemporary Australian opera, based on the life of brilliant South Australian anthropologist Ted Strehlow and his fascinating and controversial relationship with the Aranda aboriginal people of Central Australia. Ingkata is a passionate cultural encounter played out in two musical languages: the "High Art" of contemporary western operatic music and the "Popular" contemporary music of Aboriginal hip-hop, rock, country, and blues. Traditional Aboriginal music and Lutheran chorale also form part of this heady mix.

The Strehlow story is one of the great untold Australian dramas, and is still hugely potent and divisive. It goes to the heart of Australian identity and raises issues that are vital, immediate and still unresolved. It is about that moment in our history when "the bridge collapsed" for traditional aboriginal culture. The central dramatic thrust of the story is around Strehlow's quixotic and heroic quest: to save the priceless cultural heritage of the Aranda aborigines from obliteration. However in the process of trying to do so, Strehlow comes to betray the Aranda people, his own ideals and his deepest self. He is finally undone by his warped conviction that he alone is the "the last of the true Aranda". This is a story of extraordinary passion and vision (Strehlow was a man way ahead of his times in White Australia) but a vision which tragically becomes corrupted by hubris, paranoia and ambition. It takes us on a journey from idealism to despair, from hero to villain and is truly Shakespearian and operatic in its sweep.

But what happens when your culture is defined as "dead" and yet that culture inevitably continues to evolve and transform inside a white man's world? Meet the Hermannsburg mob onstage and find out as they grapple to unravel this complex 'Strella fella'.

The Company
Ingkata is produced and directed by well-known theatre director Ros Horin for Racing Pulse Productions. As the former Artistic Director of the Griffin Theatre Company at the Stables for 12 years, Ros secured the company's reputation as a "Writer's Theatre" producing bold contemporary new Australian work. Ros has produced, dramaturged and directed over 30 new Australian productions, most recently the award winning play about refugees Through the Wire.
The Libretto is co-written by Ros and Gordon K Williams. Gordon wrote the libretto for the very successful cantata "Journey to Horseshoe Bend" (composer Andrew Schultz), based on Ted Strehlow's autobiographical novel about the death of his father-and his own coming of age. It was performed by The Sydney Symphony Orchestra .

The Music is composed by Gordon Kerry,- in association with David Bridie, Nokturnl and Warren H Williams.
Gordon Kerry is a highly regarded Australian composer who has composed for orchestras, choirs and ensembles throughout Australia and in Europe and the US. His opera Medea (Libretto Justin Macdonnell) has been performed in Australia and the USA by Chamber Made Opera and in Germany by the Berliner Kammeroper, and is now available on ABC Classics. David Bridie, a seven time ARIA award winning songwriter and composer, has enjoyed a distinguished career as one of Australia's most innovative performers with a strong emphasis on indigenous and traditional music. Bridie has stamped his mark as an international soundtrack composer, producer, lyricist, with a uniquely Australian musical sound. Nokturnl is a dynamic Alice Springs band who are three times winners of the prestigious indigenous Band of the Year Deadly awards. They have toured in Europe, as well as widely around Australia, and their music continues to amaze and evolve. Warren H Williams, born in Hermannsburg and a proud Aranda man, is now the biggest name on the music scene in the Centre. His hit duet single, 'Raining On The Rock', with John Williamson, is now one of Australia's most recognised country songs ever. Warren won Artist of the Year 2006 in the National NAIDOC Awards and continues to tour extensively all over Australia.

Choreography is by Bangarra Dance Theatre's acclaimed Artistic Director-Stephen Page.

The Development of Ingkata has been supported by the Major Festivals Initiative and the Adelaide and Darwin Festivals. Ingkata is being produced by racing pulse productions- in association with the State Opera of South Australia.

Contact:

Ros Horin
Artistic Director
Racing Pulse Productions
3/34 Cranbrook Road
Rose Bay NSW 2029
Tel +61 2 9327 6911
Mobile 0411 100 647
ros@roshorin.com
or
Wendy Blacklock
Performing Lines
Mobile 0411 330 654