Uniquely Australian explores ways in which designers have presented Australian subject matter on stage. It offers an example of how the Performing Arts Collection can illustrate a theme or idea by drawing together a range of material.

Recognisable national symbols have often been used to represent Australia on stage, often promoting a sense of patriotism. Costume designs for early twentieth century pantomimes depict local products and industry, and quasi-military uniforms representing countries. More recent designs by Roger Kirk for The Boy From Oz and by Bill Goodwin for Barry Humphries’ Dame Edna Everage incorporate the Australian flag and respond to onstage humour. 

Australia’s unique flora and fauna have also been interpreted in stage design. For example, the 1915 pantomime Mother Goose included wattle and waratah costumes by Attilio Comelli. The Australian Ballet’s adaptation of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (1988), featured costumes designed by Hugh Colman based on May Gibbs’ original bush characters.

The life of Ned Kelly and the romantic tale of The Sentimental Bloke have each received multiple stage interpretations, enabling designers to explore and adapt Australian imagery. Other home grown stories have portrayed the Australian way of life, from the inner city terrace in Ray Lawler’s play Summer of the Seventeenth Doll to productions featuring the beach and sport.

The Australian landscape and aspects of Indigenous culture have also been sources of inspiration for designers. In the mid-twentieth century William Constable’s desert landscape set for the ballet Corroboree (1950) drew on Indigenous motifs, as did Clifton Pugh’s re-presentation of Aboriginal rock painting for the musical Mumba Jumba and the Bunyip (1959).

Recent collaborations between The Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre have brought the cultures of both companies together, with Jennifer Irwin costumes complementing Stephen Page’s choreography. For The Australian Ballet’s Slipstream (1998), choreographed by Bernadette Walong, set design was undertaken by prominent Indigenous visual artist Judy Watson.