
AN EPIC, 250-YEAR STORY TO RETURN HOME THE CAPTIVE BODILY REMAINS OF FIRST PEOPLES.
Once considered ‘exotic’ trophies of antiquity, the bodily remains of Indigenous men, women, and children served scientific theories of evolution and were prized objects displayed on mantelpieces. In the cover of darkness, grave robbers would pillage burial grounds, to sell Ancestral remains to the highest bidder under the guise of scientific research. Thousands were stolen and sold.
Today, they are still locked away.
Some are displayed in private homes, while others are hidden deep within the bowels of museums and universities. Now is the time to bring them back to Country.
Torres Strait Islander playwright John Harvey (Heart is a Wasteland) recounts a dark history of Australia in The Return, inspired by Yorta Yorta man Jason Tamiru’s experiences as a repatriation worker. Three narratives interweave—a repatriation officer, a museum curator, and a bone collector—uncovering a macabre history of false justifications in an epic tale spanning 250 years.
In his Malthouse directorial debut, Jason Tamiru joins forces with Malthouse Theatre Artistic Director Matthew Lutton for a theatrical event that will give rise to how the repatriation of Ancestors can bring us closer to homecoming and healing.
WARNINGS
This production contains violent imagery, strobe lighting, haze effects, controlled smoke onstage from burning eucalyptus leaves, gunshot sounds, occasional coarse language, and replica human remains. For more detailed information, see our full list of content warnings here.
PRODUCTION PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
The Return is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. A Malthouse Theatre and RISING co-commission. PRESENTED WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF / Dara Foundation, Bardas Foundation, Circle5 Foundation, Lorraine & John Bates, Canny Quine Foundation, Pinky Watson
Campaign Image: Shortcut Creative
Production Photography: Pia Johnson










WRITER
John Harvey

CO-DIRECTOR & CULTURAL CUSTODIAN
Jason Tamiru

CO-DIRECTOR
Matthew Lutton

Dramaturg
Mark Pritchard

SET DESIGNER
Zoë Atkinson

LIGHTING DESIGNER
Paul Jackson

COSTUME DESIGNER
Zoë Rouse

COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER
Jethro Woodward

Traditional Vocals, Yidaki, Clapsticks
Jason Tamiru

DESIGN CONSULTANT (SET)
Chloe Ogilvie

CAST
Jimi Bani

CAST
Ghenoa Gela

CAST
Damion Hunter

Cast
Angelica Lockyer

CAST
Guy Simon

Cast
Laila Thaker

CULTURAL DANCE & CEREMONY
Culture Evolves

YIKI YIKI (DIDGERIDOO)
Sean Ryan

Understudy
Kristel Kickett

Understudy
Ari Maza Long

STAGE MANAGER
Lyndie Li Wan Po

Assistant Stage Manager
Cointha Walkeden
PRODUCER & COMPANY MANAGER /
Laura Hale
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY /
Lyndall Grant
Event & ticketing details
Accessibility
Performance Times
Event notes
DURATION /
Approx. 90 minutes (no interval)
WARNINGS /
This production contains violent imagery, strobe lighting, haze effects, controlled smoke onstage from burning eucalyptus leaves, gunshot sounds, occasional coarse language, and replica human remains. For more detailed information, see our full list of content warnings here.
REPATRIATION RESOURCES /
To learn more about repatriation see here.
More like this

A new play by Vidya Rajan, based on the book by Melina Marchetta
More infoLooking for Alibrandi
9 – 31 JUL
This duo is serving the tea hot ☕🔥and keeping receipts. PERIODT.
More info