Beginners’ Call – Episode 3: Alethea Beetson, Writer & Director. Loki Liddle, Sound/Music Artist Queen’s City

“Mabo (the film) meets Hot Tub Time Machine.”

Even Writer and Director Alethea Beetson admits Queen’s City is hard to describe. On the eve of its world premiere at Brisbane Festival 2022, the debut work from new performance collective Blak Social is best explained as part gig, part theatre work, part ‘80s extravaganza and part political commentary. A performance work years in the making, Alethea explains how the story of love and reclamation was inspired by the missing narratives and rewritten histories of colonisation.

“Being able to tell First Nations stories through the modality of the ‘80s is really cool. Queen’s City is insanely fun.”

In this episode, Alethea is joined by Queen’s City artist Loki Liddle to discuss the cultural and creative process of bringing the Queen’s City-verse to life, from engaging cultural dramaturgs to pondering what a “Black Bruce Springsteen” would sound like. While borne of this city, they explain how Brisbane, or Meanjin, served as a creative muse for the work, rather than its definitive source material. They also reveal the joy and enthusiasm that went into creating an original soundtrack of ‘80s-inspired rock, pop, glam and party songs.

“The music is the value I think music has always been on these lands in that it tells the story and you have to pay attention to that music to understand the story.”

Brisbane Festival returns to fill the city with three weeks of wonder, delight and celebration from 2 – 24 September 2022. For information and tickets, visit brisbanefestival.com.au 

Beginners’ Call records on Turrbal and Yugerra country in Meanjin, Brisbane. Brisbane Festival recognises the integral role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples play in our creative, artistic and celebration spaces and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Podcast Curator: Louise Bezzina (Brisbane Festival)

Podcast Guests: Alethea Beetson and Loki Liddle (Blak Social)

Podcast Host: Adam Brunes (Aruga) 

Podcast Producer: Gilberto Castillo (The Podcast Boss)