Curtains for Bran Nue Dae revival

The curtain has fallen on the 30th anniversary revamp of the beloved indigenous Broome musical Bran Nue Dae.

The musical, which was scheduled to tour Australia in tribute to its late playwright Jimmy Chi and featured several Broome performers, has become the latest production to be cancelled due to restrictions surrounding COVID-19.

The announcement comes a month after the production was forced to cancel its return Sydney season, along with the Melbourne and Geelong seasons after successful runs in Parramatta and Perth.

In a statement, Opera Australia said extended restrictions on mass gatherings meant it was “no longer possible” to stage the remaining legs of the tour in Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide, which were scheduled for July and August.

Opera Australia CEO Rory Jeffes paid tribute to those that “worked so tirelessly” in bringing Bran Nue Dae back to the stage.

“This is of course a really difficult time for everyone,” he said.

“I know how devastating this news is for the whole extended Bran Nue Dae family that stretched across the country.

“All the performers, creatives and crew, everyone worked so hard on this project, that I know was very close to all their hearts.”