Perth playwright and actor Bruce Denny has drawn on personal experiences involving his own family for Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company’s world premiere of his play Operation Boomerang opening in Perth this month.
The theme might be sad but the humour always shines through, he tells Have a Go News.
Operation Boomerang sees spiritual needs competing with societal expectations as a kooky Indigenous family try to support their sassy matriarch nana’s (the talented Lynette Narkle) sunset wishes.
Boomerangs always come back but this time nana is doing a runner from the old folks’ home – and she’s not coming back. Like most families, there’s a tug-of-war regarding what is best for nana, but she just wants to escape.
The play is directed by Ian Wilkes with Bobbi Henry (Jean’s daughter), Owen Hasluck (Josh’s grandson), Ebony McGuire (Sarah’s granddaughter) and Wimiya Woodley (Bob’s son).
Bruce Denny’s own life involved both his late birth mother and foster mother playing important roles in his life.
“I was taken away from my birth mother as a baby and my foster mother, who raised me, was a proud Goldfields girl who lived independently until she went into aged care.
“Operation Boomerang came about around 2020 when I was doing a role play for medical students exploring the importance for many Aboriginal people of returning to Country, when they know their time is near.
“I was playing the role of a guy who had been given a week or two to live as his dialysis was failing. He said, ‘well I need to get out of this hospital in the city and go back to my Country’ and the medicos really couldn’t understand this need and didn’t want him to go.
“A lot of people when they get older are treated as if they don’t really know what they want to do anymore or they have to be told what to do.”
Bruce took part in Yirra Yaakin Writers’ Group in 2020; an intensive playwriting program that guides emerging Aboriginal writers to turn ideas into scripts.
Ian Wilkes says: “it’s an honour to be directing the world premiere of this play starring auntie (Dr) Lynette Narkle, one of the founders of the Yirra Yaakin.
“We performed together in Yirra Yaakin’s 2011 production of Honeyspot by Jack Davis. Many other cast members have also performed with her, been directed by her and been connected to her in the theatre over the years, this is a full-circle moment for our company.
“Bruce Denny’s play speaks to our culture; how important it is for our elders to be connected to country as they face the end of their lives. His play is full of light and shade and confronts this important topic with humour. There is something in this play for us all, regardless of colour.”
Bruce Denny’s heritage is Yamatji down his mother’s side and native American down his father’s. Starting his acting career in the late 1980s, he has appeared in numerous Australian film, television and stage productions, including The Sum of Us. Directional credits include Desert Wirla’s Kangaroo Stew.
Bruce says he was always interested in theatre growing up and even auditioned for the role of Oliver in Oliver Twist at His Majesty’s Theatre as a boy.
“As an adult, I went into community theatre and a neighbour offered me a small role in A Streetcar Named Desire.
“With a young family I worked as an electrician but kept in touch with community theatre and then an agent agreed to represent me and I started moving into professional work.
“As you get older, there are fewer acting roles, but I’ve always enjoyed directing and writing is something I’ve done in my own time anyway.”
Bruce likes nothing better than escaping to his country bolthole at Beverley to write in peace and enjoy the solitude while supporting local theatre.
He is currently working with the Cities of Melville and Bayswater and the Community Arts Network on various projects.
“Elders tell me a story about a certain location or place and I write the story about that. I’m also heading to the Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival in Geraldton this month.”
Operation Boomerang written by Bruce Denny plays at Subiaco Arts Centre 7pm, October 4–19. Tickets: www.yirrayaakin.com.au.
