![Rising](/media/n5wi1ids/rising_logo.png)
AN EPIC, 250-YEAR STORY TO RETURN HOME THE CAPTIVE BODILY REMAINS OF FIRST PEOPLES.
Once considered ‘exotic’ trophies of antiquity, the bodily remains of Indigenous men, women, and children served scientific theories of evolution and were prized objects displayed on mantelpieces. In the cover of darkness, grave robbers would pillage burial grounds, to sell Ancestral remains to the highest bidder under the guise of scientific research. Thousands were stolen and sold.
Today, they are still locked away.
Some are displayed in private homes, while others are hidden deep within the bowels of museums and universities. Now is the time to bring them back to Country.
Torres Strait Islander playwright John Harvey (Heart is a Wasteland) recounts a dark history of Australia in The Return, inspired by Yorta Yorta man Jason Tamiru’s experiences as a repatriation worker. Three narratives interweave—a repatriation officer, a museum curator, and a bone collector—uncovering a macabre history of false justifications in an epic tale spanning 250 years.
In his Malthouse directorial debut, Jason Tamiru joins forces with Malthouse Theatre Artistic Director Matthew Lutton for a theatrical event that will give rise to how the repatriation of Ancestors can bring us closer to homecoming and healing.
WARNINGS
This production contains violent imagery, strobe lighting, haze effects, controlled smoke onstage from burning eucalyptus leaves, gunshot sounds, occasional coarse language, and replica human remains. For more detailed information, see our full list of content warnings here.
PRODUCTION PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
The Return is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. A Malthouse Theatre and RISING co-commission. PRESENTED WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF / Dara Foundation, Bardas Foundation, Circle5 Foundation, Lorraine & John Bates, Canny Quine Foundation, Pinky Watson
Campaign Image: Shortcut Creative
Production Photography: Pia Johnson
![Rising](/media/n5wi1ids/rising_logo.png)
![Aus Gov sustainability fund](/media/lcrnwb3z/sustainability_fund_inline.jpeg)
![Creative Victoria](/media/3hlb3sle/creativevic.png)
![Dara Foundation](/media/ol1jq2jr/darafoundations_black.jpg)
![Bardas foundation](/media/j0ypc11k/bardas_140.png)
![Circle5 Foundation](/media/okoicyco/thereturn_2022_eventpage_donorlogos_1.png)
![Lorraine & John Bates](/media/hjxbw0xw/thereturn_2022_eventpage_donorlogos_12.png)
![Canny Quine Foundation](/media/xujhs1yc/thereturn_2022_eventpage_donorlogos_13.png)
![Pinky Watson](/media/ohihd122/thereturn_2022_eventpage_donorlogos_14.png)
![John Harvey Headshot](/media/a0jbyr5i/j-harvey-headshot.png)
WRITER
John Harvey
![Jason Tamiru Headshot](/media/g2bhyfr1/j-tamiru-headshot.png)
CO-DIRECTOR & CULTURAL CUSTODIAN
Jason Tamiru
![Matthew Lutton Headshot](/media/xcahs01t/m-lutton-headshot.png)
CO-DIRECTOR
Matthew Lutton
![Mark Pritchard Headshot](/media/4xwnjt2p/m-pritchard-headshot.png)
Dramaturg
Mark Pritchard
![Zoë Atkinson Headshot](/media/sheb2g3s/zoe-headsho.png)
SET DESIGNER
Zoë Atkinson
![Paul Jackson Headshot](/media/1odd1fnn/p-jackson-headshot.png)
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Paul Jackson
![Zoë Rouse Headshot](/media/14yml52z/zoerouse_website.png)
COSTUME DESIGNER
Zoë Rouse
![Jethro Woodward Headshot](/media/ub1np3xy/j-woodward-headshot.png)
COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER
Jethro Woodward
![Jason Tamiru Headshot](/media/g2bhyfr1/j-tamiru-headshot.png)
Traditional Vocals, Yidaki, Clapsticks
Jason Tamiru
![Chloe Ogilvie Headshot](/media/v2vpyhnj/c-ogilvie-headshot.png)
DESIGN CONSULTANT (SET)
Chloe Ogilvie
![Jimi Bani Headshot](/media/ajunl1m1/j-bani.png)
CAST
Jimi Bani
![Ghenoa Gela Headshot](/media/kvxhciub/ghenoa_new.png)
CAST
Ghenoa Gela
![Damion Hunter Headshot](/media/kjijfh41/damionhunter_website.png)
CAST
Damion Hunter
![Angelica Lockyer Headshot](/media/gqujh44i/angelica-headshot.png)
Cast
Angelica Lockyer
![Guy Simon Headshot](/media/n35ikdre/g-simon-headshot.png)
CAST
Guy Simon
![Laila Thaker Headshot](/media/woomqftl/the-return-web-headshots_laila.png)
Cast
Laila Thaker
![Culture Evolves Headshot](/media/kthdyjtv/the-return-web-headshots_brent.png)
CULTURAL DANCE & CEREMONY
Culture Evolves
![Sean Ryan Headshot](/media/uimflkjx/the-return-web-headshots_sean.png)
YIKI YIKI (DIDGERIDOO)
Sean Ryan
![Kristel Kickett Headshot](/media/vvrdmpl1/the-return-web-headshots_kristel.png)
Understudy
Kristel Kickett
![Ari Maza Long Headshot](/media/afdprx23/the-return-web-headshots_ari.png)
Understudy
Ari Maza Long
![Lyndie Li Wan Po Headshot](/media/w5lim4mo/metaphor_2021_website_headshots9.png)
STAGE MANAGER
Lyndie Li Wan Po
![Cointha Walkeden Headshot](/media/a2tgfr0u/cointha-headshot.png)
Assistant Stage Manager
Cointha Walkeden
PRODUCER & COMPANY MANAGER /
Laura Hale
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY /
Lyndall Grant
Event & ticketing details
Accessibility
Performance Times
Event notes
DURATION /
Approx. 90 minutes (no interval)
WARNINGS /
This production contains violent imagery, strobe lighting, haze effects, controlled smoke onstage from burning eucalyptus leaves, gunshot sounds, occasional coarse language, and replica human remains. For more detailed information, see our full list of content warnings here.
REPATRIATION RESOURCES /
To learn more about repatriation see here.
More like this
![](/media/d12kc10p/alibrandi_2022_eventpagebanner2.jpg?crop=0.13781500572737687,0.032709685630647745,0.13731386025200445,0&cropmode=percentage&width=405&height=304&rnd=133129960588630000)
A new play by Vidya Rajan, based on the book by Melina Marchetta
More infoLooking for Alibrandi
9 – 31 JUL![](/media/obsfs3d1/sevenmethods23_eventpage.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=405&height=304&rnd=133076412149930000)
This duo is serving the tea hot ☕🔥and keeping receipts. PERIODT.
More info