Tragic figure or traitor? New show looks at life of Bennelong

In 1793, Wangal man Woollarawarre Bennelong made history by performing the first Aboriginal song on English soil in a London townhouse. Bennelong has been described as a tragic figure, a traitor, a diplomat, and an adventurer, sparking various interpretations of his character and legacy. Award-winning playwright Jane Harrison delves into these contradictions while researching her play The Visitors, which features Bennelong as a central character.

Bennelong was kidnapped and brought to England by Governor Arthur Phillip, where he learned English and acted as a liaison between his people and the settlers. After nearly three years in England, Bennelong returned home, living out the rest of his life in a small community on the Parramatta River. Harrison's latest work, Bennelong in London, explores the complexities of Bennelong's life and his journey to Europe, set in the present day with Bennelong recounting his story to a modern-day character.

The play aims to provide a fresh perspective on early contact and contemporary Aboriginal lives in the colony, while also grappling with the challenges of portraying a historical figure through a modern lens. Bennelong in London is not the first representation of the Wangal leader's story on stage, having been previously portrayed in a dance performance, a Helpmann Award-winning dance piece, and another play.