Bennelong's Story: A Modern Actor Questions a Complex Past

Jane Harrison's play, staged at Sydney Theatre Company, tackles the challenging narrative of Woollarawarre Bennelong, a significant historical figure.

The narrative centers on Sebastian, a young actor preparing to portray Bennelong, who conjures the Wangal warrior's spirit for an in-depth questioning. This unique structure allows for an exploration of differing historical and contemporary perspectives on Bennelong, who was captured in 1789 by Governor Arthur Phillip and later traveled to London.

Harrison's play aims to foreground Bennelong's own voice and agency, presenting him as a proud, clever, and complex individual navigating fraught circumstances. The production, directed by Ian Michael and designed by Emma White, uses evocative staging to represent liminal spaces between cultures and narratives.

While praised for its ingenuity and humor, the play sometimes leans too heavily on exposition, potentially sacrificing emotional depth. However, moments where the narrative deviates from naturalism, particularly in a climactic sequence, create a powerful, visceral impact, merging Bennelong's and Sebastian's perspectives.