The Life, Tales, Sentencing and Execution of Clarke “the Flying Barber”
by Geoffrey Sykes
Cast Rick Butler, Kathryn Stewart (Melissa Glinn), Tisha Kelemen, Freya Moore, Mark Anderson.
Songs composed by Steve Wood
Musical direction Kathryn Stewart
Direction by Geoffrey Sykes and Kathryn Stewart
Visual design by Aschara Pothmann and Jonathon King
Five performances at the Richard Wherrett Studio, Rosyln Packer Theatre, Miller Street Dawes Point
22,23 March 5,6 April 7.30 PM with matinee April 6 2.30 PM
There were a good number of runaway convicts in the early colony of NSW, and this play concerns the life of one of them – George Clarke, also known as “The Flying Barber”. As other runaways his ability to live with aboriginal tribes and survive beyond the boundaries of settlements worried the government – These wild rebels challenged the law and morality of colonial society.
Clarke is unusual in living with 9 tribes over a 4 year period, and assisting them finding food when pastoral settlements caused hunger. Clarkes, like other successful runaways, proved to be a great explorer, and his claims to have found a great inland river came to the attention of Thomas Mitchell, the NSW Survey General. Clarke was given a reprieve from punishment as a bushranger while Mitchell went off on a full expedition based on Clarke’s advice and maps. The play embellishes the fantasy type tale of Clarke, and his later life at Norfolk Island and Van Diemen’s land where he was executed, as a fable of Australian identity and values. The association of the two explorers – Clarke and Mitchell – becomes the context for a rich play of values and ideas that resonate today.
The show uses the format of a nineteenth century group of travelling players (MacNamara’s Travelling Theatre), and a rich mix of songs, poems and dialogue, to tell its story, presumably on the eve of the execution of the ex-convict. The show is a reimagining of the style and stereotypes of colonial society. It seeks to refresh knowledge and values of a slice of early Australian history.
REVIEW (READ MORE REVIEWS AND ARTICLES)
“An absorbing, insightful and intriguing play. Sykes has forged ahead with an honest and imperious view that reflects on the penitentiary system, Australian contact history, and the ravages of white settlement. The emotional complexities and moral dilemmas are part of it all. This unique play reopens some critical questions about who can tell and how do we understand our shared history … gestures to a wider story with some ever-challenging identity and moral questions on being an Australian.” (Sydney Arts Guide)
ARTICLE “Rick Butler’s Theatrical Journey from the Australian Institute of Music to AUSTRALIA FELIX” here
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
“Loved every second of this amazing script and performance. Recommended as a must-see for 2024.
It’s a hit for sure
Overall I enjoyed the play / musical – it was solid, ‘meaty’ and worth paying attention to – in terms of themes and characters. .. there were many gems along the way
Really enjoyed the musical play within the play.
The poetry is great. With some humorous well-timed lines.
History of the past has to be relevant to a history of the present…and this is well done. You let us make the connections… done with some subtlety…
Great acting and singing. These actors make their roles their own. Some great non-verbal actions reinforce the same. Well thought out.
Great lines and great music. Well done, most enjoyable… thanks for a great night enjoyed by both of us.
is fabulous, the narrative told in a humorous, lighthearted fashion yet evoking strong sentiments for the protagonist with underlying, thought provoking themes. Skilfully woven together, this is a must-see production.”
