In an epic opening to Brisbane’s Clancestry festival, The Visitors at QPAC’s Playhouse Theatre is simply genius. Playing for a limited season, Jane Harrison’s innovative masterpiece should not be overlooked. Co-produced by Moogahlin Performing Arts and Sydney Theatre Company, The Visitors takes audiences back in time to January 1788 when the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove.
The Visitors transforms a historic Australian event into a powerful platform for First Nations voices. In this fateful meeting between seven clan leaders, they debate the merit in welcoming the fleet of visitors approaching them.
In the typical fashion of modern-day meetings, there is a talking stick, unproductive voting sessions, and distracted banter. With her distinctive blend of comedic flair and dark wit, storytelling sensation Jane Harrison blurs the past, present, and future in this thought-provoking ethical exploration.
After years of development and workshops in Melbourne, The Visitors premiered as a full production at Sydney Festival in January 2020. Interestingly, the original cast was all-male, with the characters of Wallace and Jacky later reimagined as female. In 2023, The Visitors played at the Sydney Opera House to much acclaim, winning the Sydney Theatre Awards for Best Mainstage Production and Best Ensemble.
Director Wesley Enoch masterfully breathes life into Harrison’s work, bringing a layered perspective of culture and ethics to the production. Najwa Adams-Ebel gives a standout performance as Wallace, the clan leader of the Birri Gubba people. She plays the role of devil’s advocate with a heartfelt sincerity. Her even-temperance and mindfulness are a stark contrast to the rest of the incredibly spirited characters.
Playing the hot-heated Gordon from Gamilaroi is Stephen Geronimos, whose acting is deeply emotional and humorous. For most of the play, Gordon is argumentative and quick to grab his spear, feeling the protective urge to ward off the strangers more than the other clan leaders. The mood of the production changes swiftly though when Geronimos finally shows the character’s vulnerable side, revealing a boy who misses his father.
The set and costume design by Elizabeth Gadsby is spectacular. In the centre of the stage is a grand, incredibly realistic sandstone rock formation where the leaders gather to talk. It’s a simple design made all the more impressive by the natural crevices and texture. The actors move across the rock with an ease and comfort that is captivating to watch.
The contemporary business attire seems out of place at first, but gives a deeper meaning to the context of the play. In particular, the way that the actions of European colonisers still affect Australian society and Indigenous people today.
Gadsby’s detail-oriented approach to costume design is especially seen in the final scene where the actors transform their suit jackets to mimic tribal wear with symbols from their respective clans’ areas. It is an absolutely stunning display of pride and heritage.
Clancestry continues over the next two weeks, celebrating the extraordinary creativity of First Nations artists and standing as a highlight of QPAC’s annual program. Blending traditional stories with bold contemporary voices, the festival offers something for everyone. Among its standout offerings, The Visitors is only showing for a few more days. Be sure not to miss this powerful production.
The Visitors runs to 26 July at the Playhouse, QPAC as part of Clancestry 2025.
Tickets: https://qpac.n.qtix.com.au/tickets/series/fnclancestrythevisitors25
Website: https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2025/clancestry-the-visitors
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/atqpac/
Photo credits: Stephen Wilson Barker
