The Dirty Mile
Ilbijerri Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Theatre
Devised by Kylie Belling, Gary Foley and John Harding, Based on an original concept by Lisa Bellear
Director Kylie Belling
With Bryan Andy, Lionel Austin, Jacob Boehme, Janaya Charles, Joe Clements, LeRoy Parsons, Melodie Reynolds and Stan Yarramunua
Cnr Gertrude and Nicholson Sts, Fitzroy
Saturday February 23 to Sunday March 16
$30/$20 concession
Bookings (03) 9685 5111
Ilbijerri kicks off its 2008 season with one if its strongest works — The Dirty Mile, a dramatised walking trail through Indigenous Fitzroy. The 2006 Deadly Award-winning drama, is performed in promenade style through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander streets of Fitzroy.
Here's the chance to get to know Fitzroy's profound Indigenous significance. From its Woiwurrung beginnings, Fitzroy was the centre of the Victorian Indigenous community as people moved from missions, came back from war, or sought family and work opportunities. As a result Fitzroy became the birthplace of
many Aboriginal organisations and the hub for Indigenous advancement whether sporting, religious, political,
social or cultural. The Dirty Mile walks through this rich history recognising the connection to the continuing
street presence today.
The Dirty Mile is performed on the streets of Fitzroy in and around the renowned Gertrude Street. The walk takes you through the history of Aboriginal advancement.
The combination of great costumes, significant locations, meaningful characters, and the use of real speeches and actual historical events, lets you see what it was like to really be there. 2006 audiences appreciated the humour, the storytelling, the innovative way of presenting this remarkable
history and their being able to deepen their understanding of Fitzroy's continuing significance to Indigenous
people.
The Dirty Mile is an example of how Ilbijerri creates and presents theatre by Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander artists that challenges, connects
and reaffirms Indigenous cultures.