The Last Shot by Troy Russell
The Last Shot… is a powerful story of love and loss as seen through the eyes of a couple struck by tragedy.”
– Stephen A Russell, Timeout Sydney
Moogahlin Performing Arts and Blacktown Arts in association with Sydney Festival are proud to present the world premiere of The Last Shot by Troy Russell at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
Based on true events, The Last Shot by Troy Russell is an intimate musical tale of romance, heartbreak and tragedy in colonial times.
Star-crossed lovers Jimmy and Florrie take flight through Gomeroi Country, seeking refuge with strangers. One night, after singing and dancing at the local camp, a foreboding event catapults them into turmoil. Forced to make an escape, Jimmy and Florrie set off into the night followed by a landowner in pursuit of revenge.
Drawing on a range of musical genres, and accompanied by archival imagery, The Last Shot is a story of romance and chaos, pulling on your heartstrings and lifting your spirits.
Directed by Lily Shearer (Murriwarri/ Ngemba), supported by Nardi Simpson (Yuwaalaraay) and Victoria Kennedy (Wongaibon), along with John Blair (Nucoorilma/ Gamilaroi) Breeana Baxter, Kevin Hunt, Leila Hamilton and Preston Peachey (Wiradjuri/ Malyangapa), acclaimed composer, musician and filmmaker Troy Russell (Biripi/ Gamillaroi) explores the tribulations of his ancestor’s stories in his most important work to date.
Refreshments
Refreshments will be available for purchase at the venue. Food and select non-alcoholic beverages provided by Kallico Catering, an Indigenous owned and operated catering company local to Blacktown.
Credits
Writer/ Composer/ Guitarist: Troy Russell (Biripi/ Gamillaroi)
Outside Eye: Nardi Simpson (Yuwaalaraay)
Narrator: John Blair (Nucoorilma/ Gamilaroi)
Vocalist: Leila Hamilton
Pianist: Kevin Hunt
Drums: Preston Peachey (Wiradjuri/ Malyangapa)
Violinist: Breeana Baxter
Director: Lily Shearer (Murriwarri/ Ngemba)
Dramaturg: Victoria Kennedy (Wongaibon)
Lighting Designer: Karen Norris
Production Manager: dplr
Interns: Solid Ground
Producer: Moogahlin Performing Arts / Blacktown Arts
The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
Season
Thursday 19 May, 7 pm
Friday 20 May, 7 pm
Saturday 21 May, 4 pm and 7 pm
Tickets
General admission $35
2-person cabaret $70
4-person cabaret $140
* Booking fees apply
Please be advised that this event contains coarse language.
Artists
Troy Russell and GiiMusic
Troy John Russell is of the Biripi people of the Greater Manning area near Taree, and the Gamillaroi people of the New England area. Troy’s journey with music began at 11, when a neighbour offered to teach him the fundamentals of music. After he discovered an old photograph of his father playing a banjo, he learned that his family from Taree was a musical family.
Troy was a successful applicant to Moogahlin Performing Arts’ Yellamundie Festival where his first musical piece The Last Shot was developed. Music from the show then toured to Brewarrina to close Moogahlin’s Baiame’s Ngunnhu Festival 2021. Troy is now also one of the inaugural First Peoples Artist-in-Residence at the Sydney Conservatorium. He continues to write music in collaboration with his band GiiMusic. Gii means heart in the language of the Gamillaroi people and was founded by Troy and Bree Baxter in 2016.
Lily Shearer – Director
Murrawarri/Ngemba woman Lily Shearer celebrates 40 years in Cultural Arts & Community Development, Performance and Theatre making, Producing and Arts Administration in 2021. A land-base storyteller based on the unceded lands of Ngemba & Gadigal peoples, Lily collaborates with communities, emerging and established artists of all genres, enabling stories for the stage, festivals, music, installation and film. Lily’s practice of enabling First Peoples leadership and ownership initiatives are at the core of all her works, including the establishment of Moogahlin Performing Arts (2007).
Moogahlin Performing Arts
Moogahlin Performing Arts Incorporated is New South Wales’ leading First Peoples performing arts company. We develop, produce, and present new work, are strongly connected to the community, and are committed to nurturing First Peoples performing arts practitioners locally, regionally, and nationally by building platforms for emerging and established performing arts makers. Moogahlin was formed in Redfern N.S.W. in November 2007, in honour of the late Kevin Smith’s request, and in memory of the founding members of the Black Theatre.
Moogahlin’s vision is a culturally empowered First Peoples community and performing arts sector. Our aim is to inspire First Peoples communities and performing arts practitioners to tell their stories, and to provide opportunities for these stories to be developed and presented. Moogahlin (Muu-gah-lin) is a Yuin/Bundjalung word meaning to play, to fool about.
Suitable for all ages – Under 18’s must be accompanied with a parent or guardian. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this event has references to violence and may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons.
Proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Blacktown City Council, Australia Council for the Arts, Sydney Festival and Blacktown Arts.
