For each of the props mentioned below, identify when you saw it onstage and how it helped establish setting, was used symbolically, communicated character or contributed to the storytelling.
MARNGROOK
Bunurong/Gadigal artist Ngairee Anderson made a Marngrook for this production of 37. She began the practice after attending Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association seven years ago.
‘My journey to find my songlines has been an emotional one and with the help of wonderful community at our nearest Aboriginal gathering place in Hastings, I have grown within myself and embraced my culture more than ever,’ she says.
‘I started [making Marngrooks] at our bubup’s (children’s) group and for my own children. I was then offered a couple of contracts from a beautiful friend and fellow artist Emily Webbers of Wurruck Yambo and the rest they say is history.’
Anderson sources possum skin from New Zealand as possums are a protected species in Australia, then uses imitation sinew or thread to sew it into the shape of a ball.
‘Traditionally they were just made into an oval shape almost like a football and stuffed with balsa rocks, shells, stringybark and ash,’ she explains.
‘As with any culture, it is important to keep the stories and traditions alive … We are 60,000-plus-year-old culture. We are awakening languages and awakening traditions that we thought were long gone. By teaching our sons and daughters their culture we ensure that they keep our songlines going strong and raising future elders.’
Ngali Shaw with the Marngrook. Photo: Pia Johnson
FOOTY PARAPHERNALIA
The world of 37 is filled with items typically found on footy fields and locker rooms, including footballs (red and yellow), drink bottles (mismatched with characters’ names on them) and caddies, a variety of backpacks, a blocking pad, and a net storage basket for the footballs.
The 2024 cast of 37. Photo: Pia Johnson
CONSUMABLE PROPS
Consumable props are items that need to be replenished for each performance. The beer cans are in fact ‘sleeves’ of beer cans that slip over sparkling water cans – this way the drinks 'hiss' when opened onstage. The run-through banner is made from crepe paper, and is set in place by stage managers dressed as football fans. Enough banners were made to last the entire season.
Sparkling water cans are disguised with beer can sleeves. Photo: Emily Doyle
A new crepe paper run-through banner is used in each performance. Photo: Emily Doyle
OTHER PROPS
Other props complete the theatrical world of 37, including a lectern, benches, milk crates, camping stools, yoga mat, esky, towels, medal, whistle, fabric bag with bottle caps, raffle tickets and tin, clipboard and a NAIDOC Week Thank You card.
The meat tray, featured in Scene 12: Spearing a cheer squad, includes fake sausages (homemade gak in a twist balloon), steaks and chops (made from polystyrene).
The meat tray includes props made from polystyrene and gak in twist baloons. Photo: Emily Doyle