Tracker

Wiradjuri director-choreographer Daniel Riley evokes an immensely powerful and personal story of his Great-Great Uncle, Alec “Tracker” Riley.

Inspired by Alec Riley’s deep connection to Dubbo and the surrounding areas, this work will come full circle and return the spirit of Uncle Alec and his stories to Dubbo, Talbragar and the vast Riley kinship network still living in the area.

Alec, a Wiradjuri Elder and tracker, served the New South Wales Police Force for 40 years, leading numerous high-profile cases. As an Elder of his community he forged a path between the enforced colonial system in which he worked and his Wiradjuri lore. Tracker takes inspiration from his legacy and examines the battles First Nations people have shared for generations.

Weaving together dance, music and text, Tracker invites the audience into an open and transformative ceremonial space. This remarkable story is brought to life by a team of celebrated First Nations creatives, including award-winning playwright Ursula Yovich, co-director Rachael Maza AM, composers James Henry and Gary Watling, visual artist Jonathan Jones, lighting designer Chloe Ogilvie and an all-First Nations cast.

“Tracker is a story about my Great-Great Uncle Alec Riley, and his life as a tracker for the NSW Police Force. The work is about a return to Wiradjuri country and it’s a tremendous honour to be able to bring this story back to the place where it all started.

I can’t wait to head to Dubbo, reconnect with community there, and gather together to experience Uncle Alec’s storywith the people who walk along the same land in which he walked and lived.

This is a work borne of deep listening, truth-telling and care and family connections. I look forward to diving back into it in a place that is so important to its genesis and creation.

For a work to return to country is incredibly rare. I’m thrilled to connect with you all soon.” - Daniel Riley, Artistic Director (Australian Dance Theatre)

"It is the type of theatre that simply must be experienced." - Time Out Sydney, Vaanie Krishnan

“I have been attending and reviewing performances by the Australian Dance Theatre since the Leigh Warren days, but I have never witnessed anything as powerful as this before”. - Ray Smith, Broadway World