Awards: Best Performer (Tom Molyneux) Independent Theatre, Green Room Awards 2023
Best Performance By An Actor (Joel Carnegie) and Best Innovation, New York Festivals Radio Awards 2017.

STARDUST tells the story of bandleader and trumpet player, Col Brain. Before he died, Col placed his most prized life possessions into a cupboard and locked it up, never to be opened again. But what was inside? Told through the eyes of his grandson – award winning ABC presenter & performer, Joel Carnegie – herein lies the discovery of a time capsule of Australian musical life, in a heart-warming quest to uncover what Col wanted us to know about his life by the things he left behind.

THE MISSION follows the journey of “Fighting Gunditjmara” man, Allan McDonald – one of the first Aboriginal soldiers from Victoria to enlist for war. He fought at Gallipoli and Beersheba, only to be denied a soldier’s settlement on his ultimate return to Australia and forced from his land at the Lake Condah Mission. This captivating and rollicking story, told by his great, great nephew, Gunditjmara man Tom Molyneux, tells the truth of Uncle Allan’s struggle; fighting for Country, for love, and for justice.

Experience this Green Room award-winning double bill and meet two ordinary individuals, whose extraordinary lives still reverberate to this day.

“This show (Stardust) truly is a treat...” ABC Radio National
“The Mission is a beautiful, touching, rich tribute...” Keith Gow Reviews
“Deeply moving... ☆☆☆☆” The Age
”Fascinating and compelling, Joel Carnegie is a wonderful talent…” The Blurb

CREATIVE TEAM:
Executive Producer: Joel Carnegie
Performers/Writers: Joel Carnegie and Tom Molyneux
Director: Daniel Lammin
Composers: Nadje Noordhuis and Joel Carnegie
Dramaturg: James Jackson
Lighting + Spatial Designer (2022): Bronwyn Pringle
Lighting Designer (2019): John Collopy
Sound Designer: Justin Gardam

TOURING CREW:
Touring Production/Stage Manager (VIC): Clare Springett
Touring Production/Stage Manager (QLD, NSW, TAS): James Jackson
Touring Production/Stage Manager (WA): Kate Brennan
Touring Production/Stage Manager (2019): Jane Millett
Touring Company Technicians: Justin Gardam (2022 & 2019) and John Collopy (2019)

2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR:
Stardust + The Mission (double bill) toured to 32 venues across Australia in 2022 including: Chapel off Chapel Melbourne, Lighthouse Theatre Warrnambool, The Cube Wodonga, Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Horsham Town Hall, Wyndham Cultural Centre, Moncrieff Entertainment Centre Bundaberg, The Jetty Theatre Coffs Harbour, The Crossing Narrabri, Inverell RSM Club, Gunnedah Town Hall, Capitol Theatre Tamworth, Civic Theatre Newcastle, Riverside Theatres Parramatta, Cowra Civic Centre, Tuggeranong Arts Centre Canberra, Twyford Hall Merimbula, Civic Centre Wagga Wagga, Burnie Arts and Function Centre, Princess Theatre Launceston, Theatre Royal Hobart, Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre (Perth), Don Russell Performing Arts Centre (Perth), Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre, Ravensthorpe Town Hall, Williams Memorial Hall, Albany Entertainment Centre, Esperance Civic Centre, Cummins Theatre Merredin, The Capital Bendigo, the Shrine of Remembrance and the NIKERI Institute Deakin University Geelong.

2019 VICTORIAN TOUR:
In 2019, Stardust + The Mission (double bill) toured extensively throughout Victoria, Australia. This included seasons at: Geelong Arts Centre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat, Portland Arts Centre, Ararat Town Hall, Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre, Red Rock Theatre & Gallery, Cororooke, Balmoral Mechanics Hall, Lighthouse Theatre (Warrnambool), Altona Theatre (Melbourne), Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Yea Shire Hall, The Memo, Healesville, and Shirley Burke Theatre, Kingston (Melbourne).

TOUR PARTNERS:
STARDUST + THE MISSION was supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and by the RISE Fund; by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria; by Creative Partnerships Australia through ACF Boost; the Robert Salzer Foundation; City of Stonnington and Chapel off Chapel; and the Geelong Arts Centre. Our opening seasons in Melbourne and Warrnambool were also supported by the City of Greater Geelong’s COVID-19 Business Recovery Grants. ‘Stardust + The Mission’ was created and produced by The Space Company with the 2022 national tour and 2019 Victorian tour coordinated by Regional Arts Victoria.