Brown's Mart Theatre, Darwin

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

FIERCE is an artistic adaptation of the life of the anthropologist and botanist Olive Muriel Pink 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. This first European contact took place in 1942 at Priti Priti or Thompson’s Rock Hole, 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.

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

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)