Wundig wer Wilura
PLEASE NOTE this performance is pending funding approval and will be confirmed in early 2025.
A NOTE FROM BREC’S CREATIVE LEARNING COORDINATOR
Big emotions need a big stage, and there is no grander way to convey epic themes of love, loss, death and eternal grief, than an opera.
However, opera is not all divas, arias and Italian librettos. Award winning West Australian songwriters and storytellers Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse introduced a new generation to opera, with their hugely successful opera Koolbardi wer Wardong. After selling out three performances at BREC in 2023, Gina and Guy are returning to Bunbury with a contemporary interpretation of an ancient story of despair and heartache, Wundig wer Wilura.
Performed in Noongar language, this story of star-crossed lovers, is a great counterpoint to the September Bell Shakespeare production of Romeo and Juliet.
Secondary school students could undertake comparative exploration of the key themes in both productions: forbidden love, feuding families, defying lore and custom, obligation and rebellion, adoration and betrayal.
Wundig wer Wilura’s protagonists break the bounds of lore and custom, and have their souls forever banished to Mount Brown (Wongborel) and Mount Bakewell (Walwalling) in York, Western Australia. In the face of catastrophic consequences, how far would you go for love?
FOR SCHOOL YEARS 7 – 12
TEACHER RESOURCES An Education Kit will be provided including classroom ready Pre-Show and Post-Show activities.
LANGUAGE Sung in Noongar with English surtitles
CURRICULUM LINKS Addresses cross curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures genuine engagement with the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. Written and performed by First Nation’s artists, this production also offers deep engagement with the WA curriculum general capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Personal and social capability, Ethical understanding, Intercultural understanding.
Forbidden love, feuding families, and fatal consequences. An ancient Noongar story of star-crossed lovers.
Wundig is a handsome young man, and much-loved member of the Hills people. Wilura is a beautiful young woman adored by her family, the Grass people.
Wundig wer Wilura (Wundig and Wilura) is an ancient Noongar story of star-crossed lovers, who break the bounds of lore and custom, and have their souls forever banished to Mount Brown (Wongborel) and Mount Bakewell (Walwalling) in York, Western Australia.
Family and connection to country, obligation and rebellion, adoration and betrayal, love and war. In the face of catastrophic consequences, how far would you go for love?
Sung in Noongar, this acclaimed new opera from award-winning songwriters and storytellers Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse is a new Wesfarmers Arts Commission.
WEST AUSTRALIAN OPERA
West Australian Opera (WAO) has been Western Australia’s State Opera company for nearly 60-years, sharing the power of sung stories with the community. WAO is considered crucial to arts & culture in WA and is known for producing high quality performances with an engaging and inspiring atmosphere.
WUNDIG WER WILURA
Premiering in February 2024, Wundig wer Wilura is a critically acclaimed Noongar opera by award-winning songwriters and storytellers Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse.
With the support of Principal Partner Wesfarmers Arts, West Australian Opera commissioned Wundig wer Wilura following on from Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse’s celebrated first opera Koolbardi wer Wardong (2021).
Wundig wer Wilura (Wundig and Wilura) is an ancient Noongar story of star-crossed lovers, who break the bounds of lore and custom, and have their souls forever banished to Mount Brown (Wongborel) and Mount Bakewell (Walwalling) in York, Western Australia.
Family and connection to country, obligation and rebellion, adoration and betrayal, love and war. In the face of catastrophic consequences, how far would you go for love?
Wundig wer Wilura is a Wesfarmers Arts Commission. This tour is supported by MM Electrical Data and Suppliers. Other touring partners to be added and acknowledged as negotiated.
ENQUIRIES & BOOKINGS
Bring your students to BREC for the best excersion you’ll have this year.
Book your school group now via the form below or contact the our team for more information.
BREC Education Office
T: 1300 661 272
E: education@bunburyentertainment.com
* Please note that BREC’s Creative Learning Program is subject to change.
BREC Creative Learning Online Booking Form