Noongar language production Wundig wer Wilura headed to Albany and Bunbury for limited performance run

Following a crowd-pleasing premiere at the 2024 Perth Festival, WA Opera’s Wesfarmers Arts commission Wundig Wer Wilura is coming to Albany in November as a concert adaptation.

Wundig Wer Wilura is a Noongar story of star-crossed lovers who break the bounds of lore and custom, and have their souls forever banished to Mt Brown/Wongborel and Mt Bakewell/Walwalling in York.

It is performed entirely in Noongar language, with English subtitles.

The piece is written by Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, and will have Albany director Matt Reuben James Ward at its helm.

Ward also directed the production when it debuted at Perth Festival last year and will return to bring the story to his hometown crowd.

He said it was an honour to bring the story to new audiences in WA’s South West, particularly in his hometown of Albany.

The production will be in Albany at the Albany Entertainment Centre for two performances on November 5, then moving to Bunbury for two performances on November 7.

Jarred Wall and Jess Hitchcock will both return as the titular characters and will be joined onstage by David Leha, Tyrone Brownley, Charley Caruso, Jarred Inman, Bella McGill, Teresa Moore, Benjamin Gath and Gina Williams.

WA Opera’s executive director Carolyn Chard said the production’s reception at the 2024 Perth Festival encouraged the organisation to expand its performance run.

“We are deeply passionate about the powerful stories opera tells, and when Wundig Wer Wilura played in last year’s Perth Festival, we saw how strongly it resonated with audiences and knew we had to share this beautiful story with wider audiences,” she said.

“We are grateful to our funders and partners who enable us to tour.

“Wundig wer Wilura is a Wesfarmers Arts Commission and this presentation is supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development through Playing WA and MM Electrical Merchandising.”