Brown's Mart Theatre, Darwin

6 performances: August 22-26, 2001
Festival of Darwin

FIERCE is an artistic adaptation of the life of the remarkable Australian botanical illustrator, anthropologist,  botanist, and pioneering activist for Aboriginal rights. Olive Muriel Pink, born in Hobart, Tasmania, and who was once labelled "the fiercest white woman in captivity". It was inspired by historical and fictitious elements relating to an encounter between Miss Pink and the Warlpiri people of Lajamanu. We first became aware of her through the Ngapa research project in 1995/6. This first European contact took place in 1942 at Priti Priti or Thompson’s Rock Hole, Tanami Desert, a significant sacred site for the Warlpiri people situated on the Ngapa Jukurrpa (Rainstorm Dreaming) path. Life was never to be the same. FIERCE featured the Aboriginal Women’s Dancing Group Lajamanu Yawulyu, the Grey Panthers, guest artist Trevor Patrick as Olive Pink and live music by the Arafura Ensemble.

A creative Development project took place in 1999 called Shades of Pink.

The Story of Olive Pink comes from a variety of sources. Research taken during Shades of Pink drew from the National Archives, first-hand Yapa (Warlpiri )experience directly from first contact Warlpiri, personal Kartiya (Non-Warlpiri) experiences of living with Olive Pink in Alice Springs, and from the book The Indomitable Miss Pink - A Life in Anthropology, by Julie Marcus. The choice of Trevor Patrick, an exquisite and finely detailed dancer,  to play the lead, Miss Pink, was made from the idea that Miss Pink did not conform to traditional gender roles.

SCENARIO

1. The White World (Historical) Miss Pink moves in Vice Regal circles
2. Tarlkinjira (Miss Pink's name to the Warlpiri) - Warlpiri dance of First Contact
3. The journey into the desert - from the white world to Thomson's Rock Hole 
4. Miss Pink Meets the Warlpiri - from the Warlpiri perspective, directly from women who Miss Pink was their first white contact
5. Standing up for Miss Pink - Miss Pink fights for the rights of the Warlpiri people
6. In Between Worlds - loving in Alice Springs

Creative Personnel

Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Original Music and Arrangements: Claire Kilgariff, Scott Trenwith and Merrilee Mills
Visuals: Gay Hawkes, Matthew Mainsbridge
Warlpiri Interpreter: Annette Nampijinpa Patrick
Slides: Matthew Mainsbridge
Additional Text: Stephen Carleton
Costumes: Dixi Joy

Production and Promotion Personnel

Lighting Design and Production Manager: Sean Newton
Technical Assistants: Dan Booth, Justin Quinener, Chad Riedel
Sound Engineering: Matthew Cunliffe
Publicity: Sue Camilleri
Poster Image and Design: Mark Marcelis

Performers

Trevor Patrick, Nicky Fearn, Tania Lieman, Bilha Smith
Lajamanu Yawulyu Women: Molly Napurrula Tasman, Rosie Napurrula Tasman, Jeannie Napurrula Birrell, Myra Nungarrayi Herbert, Peggy Napaljarri Rockman, Alice Napaljarri Kelly, Gladys Napangardi Kelly, Maisie Kajanarra Napangardi Granites
Grey Panthers: Kath Baldwin, Adie Bruce, Kay Brown, Audrey Gorring, Bobbie Johnstone, Crena Hemmings, Barb Quinlan, Shirley Somers, Hanna Stamm, Audrey Svara, Mavis Waddell
Arafura Ensemble: Claire Kilgariff, Merrilee Mills, Bronwyn Myers, Natalie Chin, Rangaragan Parimala, Sally Crawford

Fierce Program

Tracks 2001

Artistic Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Office Administration: Heather Richards
Bookkeeper: Lynn Bramham
Production Manager: Eunice De Ramos
Multicultural Artist in Residence: Betchay Mondragon
Grey Panthers Coordinator: Merrilee Mills

Committee Members:  David Taylor (Chair), Jackie Wurm (Vice-Chair), Glenn Bernardin (Treasurer), Kyleigh Hindson/Rukshana Ramachandran (Secretary/Public Officer), Ken Conway, Nicole Cridland, Kay Brown, Tania Lieman (Ordinary Committee Members), David McMicken and Tim Newth (Ex-Officio Members)