Country Song

Michael Tuahine stars as Jimmy Little in Country Song. Photo: Rob Maccoll

Part musical, part live action docu-drama; Country Song is a warm, funny and uniquely Australian story loosely based on the life of Indigenous singing superstar Jimmy Little.

However, from the outset it is important to note that this production is a fictionalised account of Little’s (and other prominent Indigenous Australians) story. Even so, it still provides a good crash course on the country’s quite recent and frankly, shameful, history with regards to the treatment of our Indigenous peoples.

The story centres on a fictitious crossroads in Little’s career where he has been asked to perform the National Anthem for the Queen – but is having doubts about what it will mean to do so. From that base, it become a sort of ‘road trip’, reaching back through time to his early family life to the development of his musical influences. It also knits in the lives of his contemporaries including boxer Lionel Rose, performer Auriel Andrew and activists Charlie Perkins and Bobby McLeod.

Given the expanse of time being covered, the initial establishment scenes do seem a little rushed and it does take a little time to orient between the shifting times and settings. But it soon settles into a rhythm during Little’s formative years as a performer, gigging across the country before finding national fame.

Throughout, the subject of race relations is dealt with wittily and with humour. In fact, the only misstep in with regards to this topic in the whole production was a clumsy portray of a Japanese ring announcer in a scene depicting Rose’s win over The Fighting Harada in Tokyo.

The fifth co-production between the Queensland Theatre Company and QPAC that highlights Indigenous works, Country Road was performed by a majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cast who were uniformly impressive. Michael Tuahine was particularly well-cast as Little (good thing too considering he came up with the original concept!) with his leading man looks and baritone a perfect fit for the role. Last seen as a surly and world-weary receptionist Milly in ABC TV show 8MMM Aboriginal Radio; Elaine Crombie shows her versatility by playing the multiple roles of Little’s mother Frances and wife and fellow performer Marj; while David Page (Bobby McLeod, Little’s father), Tibian Wyles (Lionel Rose, Charlie Perkins) and Megan Sarmadin (Auriel) approach their roles with gusto. The only non-Indigenous performer in the ensemble – Bradley McCraw more than holds his own and the tunes as the on-stage musician.

Quite fittingly it is the music that shines, and the spread and choice of musical numbers is excellent; featuring Little’s own hits to covers of The Church, Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins (in a particular, a humorous rendition of A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation set in an RSL club).

Despite touching on quite depressing times in our history, the music and performances help this to be a quite uplifting experience and one that can be enjoyed not only for enjoyment – but can teach people as well.