The Return
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.
"A MASTERFULLY WRITTEN DARK COMEDY... SPELLBINDING"
"MAKES AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT WITHOUT INHIBITION AND WITH ENORMOUS GRACE AND STYLE"
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
Partners
WRITER
CO-DIRECTOR & CULTURAL CUSTODIAN
CO-DIRECTOR
Dramaturg
SET DESIGNER
LIGHTING DESIGNER
COSTUME DESIGNER
COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER
Traditional Vocals, Yidaki, Clapsticks
DESIGN CONSULTANT (SET)
CAST
CAST
CAST
Cast
CAST
Cast
CULTURAL DANCE & CEREMONY
YIKI YIKI (DIDGERIDOO)
Understudy
Understudy
STAGE MANAGER
Assistant Stage Manager
| PRODUCER & COMPANY MANAGER / | Laura Hale |
| FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY / | Lyndall Grant |
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Event & ticketing details
Accessibility
Dates & Times
| PREVIEWS | 7pm Fri 13 May, 7pm Sat 14 May, 6.30pm Mon 16 May, 6.30pm Tue 17 May |
| MATINEES | 2pm Sat 21 May, 2pm Sat 28 May, 2pm Sat 4 Jun |
| OPENING NIGHT | 6.30pm, Wed 18 May |
| TIME TO TALK | 6.30pm, Tue 24 May |
| AUSLAN INTERPRETED | 6.30pm, Wed 25 May |
| AUDIO DESCRIBED | 7pm, Thu 2 Jun |
Location
Merlyn Theatre
The Malthouse, 113 Sturt St, Southbank 3006
Get directionsTrain
Any train to Flinders Street, then a 12-minute stroll through Melbourne’s sparkling Arts Precinct.Tram
The No. 1 South Melbourne tram goes right past our door. Get off at Stop 18. Any tram down St Kilda Road—jump off at Grant Street, Stop 17 and take a 3-minute walk.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.
