Black Cockatoo takes flight

Black Cockatoo a feather in cap for new LEC program

History will be made at the Logan Entertainment Centre on April 7 when acclaimed stage show, Black Cockatoo, takes flight.

The production, by renowned artistic director Wesley Enoch, will be the first time the former City of Logan resident has directed “at home” since the start of his decades-long theatre career.

The one-night-only Black Cockatoo show is one of the most anticipated upcoming offerings at the LEC, which is looking forward to a bumper new season – in more ways than one.

City Lifestyle Chair Cr Laurie Koranski said the venue had now ceased operating as a Queensland Health COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

“It’s time for the LEC to get back into full swing as an entertainment venue,” Cr Koranski said.

“Council has been very proud to support Queensland Health’s important COVID-19 vaccination efforts but now we are looking forward to welcoming our community back to this wonderful venue.

“Our live-show lovers have been incredibly patient as they have waited for a full schedule to return, so it is fantastic that a production by one of our own, Wesley Enoch, will be among the highlights of the new LEC season.”

Black Cockatoo tells the unlikely story of Australia’s first indigenous cricket team.

Wesley said it was a “quintessentially Australian” story that would resonate with the City of Logan community.

“We as a country connect with ideas of cricket, we connect with sport, including our fantastic Aboriginal sportspeople,” he said.

“To tell a story that is a crossover of sport and art, and Aboriginal culture, is very important to me.”

Black Cockatoo enjoyed a sold-out premiere season in Sydney in 2020 before the pandemic closed down the arts scene.

The show is now on a 27-venue tour.

Wesley’s love of theatre began as a student at Woodridge State High School and continued at the Logan City Theatre Company.

He said bringing Black Cockatoo to the City of Logan will be very special.

“This is the first time I’ve directed in Logan for 35 years … (and) the first time my work is being performed in the city where I grew up,” Wesley said.

“It’s great, it’s fantastic, it’s home.”

While his career has taken him right across Australia, Wesley said some of his fondest memories were of his City of Logan childhood.

“I grew up just on the other side of the football field in Karri Avenue… mum still lives in the house we grew up in,” he said.

“I remember when they were building the Council chambers… way before the Entertainment Centre was built.

“So this whole idea of watching the City grow and my family being part of that story, and that my career can also come there, that’s an amazing thing.”

Black Cockatoo follows Wesley’s other acclaimed works on Australia’s indigenous history, including Black Diggers and The 7 Stages of Grieving, co-written by Deborah Mailman.

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This article was originally published on Our Logan.