Black Cockatoo
Ensemble Theatre presents
Black Cockatoo

10 Mar 2022 to 15 May 2022

By Geoffrey Atherden. Directed by Wesley Enoch.

Book Now

Over 150 years ago, 13 brave Aboriginal men in Western Victoria picked up their cricket bats and embarked on a treacherous voyage to England and into the unknown – all in the name of sport.

Risking illness and persecution, Australia’s first international cricket team, including Australia's first Indigenous sporting hero Johnny Mullagh, amazed the English crowds with astonishing talent, personality and grit. They should have returned to Australia as celebrated heroes. Instead they came back to find the world they once knew was no longer there.

When a group of young present-day activists sneak into the Wimmera Discovery Centre to expose the truth of what happened to Johnny and his team mates, a hidden legend of triumph and tragedy unfolds. Funny and incredibly moving, Black Cockatoo is a new artistic collaboration between iconic Australian writer Geoffrey Atherden (Mother and Son, Babakiueria) and former Sydney Festival Artistic Director Wesley Enoch (Black Diggers).

This is not just a story about cricket, this is story of strength, resistance, hope and possibility.

★★★★ "This amazing Australian story rings with authenticity, humour and quirky compassion" Stage Noise
★★★★ "A vibrant, fascinating and challenging production" ArtsHub

Share This Event:   
Session TimesDuration
90 Minutes
Restrictions/WarningsTour Dates and Locations
You may also like... Where is the Green Sheep?Where is the Green Sheep?
29 Jun 2026 to 30 Jun 2026 Session Times
Monday 29 June 2026 - 6PM
Tuesday 30 June 2026 - 10AM & 12:30PM (SCHOOL GROUP SHOWS)
$20.00 - $25.00
Play
Bluey's Big Play The Stage ShowBluey's Big Play The Stage Show
23 Sep 2026 Session Times
Wednesday 23 Sept 2026 - 9:30am
Wednesday 23 Sept 2026 - 12:30pm

$59.90
Play
Andy Griffiths' YOU & ME and The Land of Lost ThingsAndy Griffiths' YOU & ME and The Land of Lost Things
4 Jul 2026 to 19 Jul 2026 Session Times
Saturday 4 July 202612pm; 2pm & 5pm
Sunday 5 July 202611am & 1pm^
Tuesday 7 July 202610am & 12.30pm
Wednesday 8 July 202610am & 12.30pm
Thursday 9 July 202612.30pm & 2.30pm
Friday 10 July 202612.30pm & 2.30pm*
Saturday 11 July 20262.30pm & 4.30pm
Sunday 12 July 202612.30pm & 2.30pm
Tuesday 14 July 202610am & 12.30pm
Wednesday 15 July 202610am & 12.30pm
Thursday 16 July 202612.30pm & 2.30pm
Friday 17 July 202612.30pm & 2.30pm
Saturday 18 July 20262.30pm & 4.30pm
Sunday 19 July 202612.30pm & 2.30pm
* Auslan Interpreted performance
^ Audio described performance
$35.90 - $49.90
Play
The Bugalugs Bum Thief The Bugalugs Bum Thief
11 Aug 2026 to 12 Aug 2026 Session Times
Tue 11 Aug 6PM
Wed 12 Aug 10AM & 12:30PM
$15 - $25.00
Play
The BirdsThe Birds
16 May 2026 to 7 Jun 2026 Session Times
Tuesday 6.30pm
Wednesday 6.30pm
Thursday 1pm & 7.30pm
Friday 7.30pm
Saturday 2pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 5pm

$43 - $98
Play