Australia Dancing - Mathinna (1956, 2008

Mathinna (1956, 2008 - )

Adapted from a radio play by Margaret Murray, Mathinna, was choreographed by Laurel Martyn for the Ballet Guild. The production was set to a commissioned score by Esther Rofe, with scenery and costumes designed by Nina Brabant.

The program included the following historical note:

In 1843 Sir John Franklin, Governor of Van Dieman’s Land, was recalled to England as a result of intrigue. The news of the recall was published in the Hobart Town Press before Sir John received his despatch, and it became public knowledge at a ball given by the Franklins at Government House. Sir John and Lady Franklin’s progressive ideas were resented by certain sections of the community, especially the adoption by Lady Franklin of a little aboriginal girl, Mathinna. Mathinna was brought up as the Governor’s daughter and became as charming and accomplished as her white contemporaries. On medical advice Mathinna did not travel to England with her benefactors, but was placed in a home for orphan girls. At twenty-one she was sent to live in the aboriginal reserve. Neither the whites nor the blacks would accept her, and her eventual degradation with the aid of rum was inevitable. One morning timber-getters found her body in a bushland creek.

The ballet was structured in two scenes:

Scene 1: The ballroom at Government House, Hobart Town. It is Mathinna’s first ball, and the ball at which news of the Franklin’s recall becomes known.

Scene 2: The ballroom as it appears to Mathinna when her world has crumbled. Deprived of the protection of the Franklins, life becomes very different for Mathinna. Only with the help of rum can she imagine she is still the Governor’s daughter. Eventually even rum becomes her enemy, and she decides to end her misery.

In the 1956 season, the role of Mathinna was danced by Margaret Grey, with Josie Seymour as the Head Assigned Servant, Harry Leitch as Sir John Frankin, and Laurel Martyn and Valma Payne alternating as Lady Franklin. When performed in the presence of Margot Fonteyn and her associates from the Royal Ballet on June 20, 1957, Nina Brabant danced as Mathinna, Valma Payne as Lady Franklin and Jack Manuel as Sir John, with Josie Seymour remaining the Head Servant.

Stephen Pages's Mathinna, choreographed for Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2008, was also based on the historical story of the Franklins and their adopted daughter, taking further inspiration from the 1842 portrait of Mathinna by Thomas Bock. Set to music by David Page, this production premiered in Melbourne on May 16, 2008, with Elma Kris performing the title role. This production won 2009 Helpmann awards for Best Ballet or Dance Work and for Best Original Score.

Other resources

Find more about Mathinna in:

Internet - Google
Libraries - Libraries Australia