The plight of a tiny endangered marsupial has inspired a new children’s theatre production in Australia. Theatre artist Yolande Brown has collaborated with Bangarra Dance Theatre to create a show entitled The Bogong’s Song: A Call to Country. This production aims to raise awareness of the mountain pygmy possum and the ecological challenges it faces, while engaging young audiences through storytelling and performance.
In late 2022, Brown and her nine-year-old son participated in a biodiversity count at Kosciuszko National Park alongside Dr. Linda Broome, a threatened species expert. Their mission involved counting bogong moths and mountain pygmy possums, two species that are critical to the alpine ecosystem. The bogong moth, known for its remarkable migration journey of up to 1,000 kilometres, plays a vital role in pollination.
Brown recalls the experience vividly, “As soon as you opened the bucket, there was this scent. It smelt like nectar because they’d been pollinating the flowering plants in the area.” The day prior, she and Dr. Broome had counted the mountain pygmy possums, which have seen their populations decline due to drought and the devastating bushfires of 2020-21. “They were no bigger than the palm of your hand,” Brown noted, adding that some of the possums had babies in their pouches.
The new show, aimed at children aged five and up, features performers Benjin Maza and Tjilala Brown-Roberts as siblings preparing to visit their grandmother. “They pack their bags and, after falling asleep, they enter the bogong’s dream as fractals of the bogong’s imagination,” Brown explained. This imaginative journey leads them to search for a missing bogong moth, during which they encounter various creatures that impart important lessons.
The incorporation of diverse artistic elements such as dance, video, shadow puppetry, and original songs makes The Bogong’s Song a unique experience for young audiences. The show emphasizes not only the ecological importance of the species it represents but also the cultural heritage of Australia, particularly that of the Bidjara clan, to which Brown belongs.
Through this production, Brown hopes to inspire a sense of stewardship in children regarding the environment. By introducing them to these endangered species, she aims to foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things. The show is not just a performance; it serves as an educational tool, sparking conversations about biodiversity and conservation among families.
As the show prepares for its debut, the creative team is optimistic about its potential impact. They believe that by engaging children in a narrative that combines adventure with environmental education, they can help cultivate a new generation of nature advocates.
