The Australian Republican Movement, Tuggeranong Arts Centre and the National Multicultural Festival present CARBONI by John Romeril Directed by Peter Dunn Renato Musolino as Carboni Designed by Casey Van Sebille - Music by Brian Torry Saturday 15 February 2003, 8pm Tickets: $30 (this includes a contribution to the ARM) A short reception, hosted by the ARM Chair, John Warhurst and Ms Annette Ellis MP, is planned for after the performance. A very limited number of tickets are available and must be purchased by Monday 3 February 2003. If you are interested in tickets please contact John Warhurst ASAP on 6249 8282 (h), 6125 3882 (w), 0439 498 283 (m) or by email: John.Warhurst@anu.edu.au December 1854, Eureka Stockade, Ballarat: 150 diggers took up arms against the British, Raffaello Carboni was there! "On to the field our doom is sealed. to conquer or be slaves The sun shall see our country free or set upon our graves." "Avanti. Avanti e nostra sorte Restar schiavi o conquistar; Il sol vedra la nostra morte, O la nazione libera." Carboni We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties. Amen." "Eureka was always a supreme event for republicans and nationalists in the Henry Lawson tradition. It is interesting to know how one eloquent participant saw the issues, the personalities and the ideas and mythology behind Eureka." "Raffaello certainly lets us know that there were Chartists and republicans on the goldfield. Through his eyes we see the Independent California Rangers, convinced of the coming benefits of an Australian Republic, march into the Stockade." Tom Kenneally - from his introduction to "The Eureka Stockade" by Raffaello Carboni. CARBONI APRIL 5, 2002, URBINO, ITALY December 3rd 1854: Eureka Stockade. Irishman Peter Lalor led a group of diggers in a bloody rebellion against the British. His lieutenant was Italian writer and revolutionary Raffaello Carboni, born in Urbino on the 15th of December 1817. Following the Eureka Rebellion, Carboni was arrested and tried for high treason. After four months he was acquitted. He left Australia in 1856 and in 1858 he settled briefly in Turin and as an interpreter he participated in the wars of independence where he was given Captains rank by Garibaldi in 1860. He then moved to Naples and died in 1875 in Rome, without the glory, recognition and prestige he had sought throughout his life. Raffaello Carboni was also the chronicler of the Eureka Rebellion. After his acquittal, he returned to Ballarat and wrote The Eureka Stockade, which was published in time for Raffaello to distribute copies personally on the 1st anniversary of the Rebellion. Today, his book is a classic and remains the most accurate and enthralling accounts on one of the most significant events in Australian history - to many, the Eureka Stockade was the birth of Australian democracy. To celebrate the life of Raffaello Carboni and Australia's Centenary of Federation in Italy, Carboni, the play opened in Urbino on April 5 2002 with Adelaide actor Renato Musolino. Devised by leading Australian playwright John Romeril, Carboni is a unique, innovative and passionate one-man play, celebrating the life of Raffaello Carboni and his involvement in the Eureka Rebellion. Along with the English original, the play was also performed in Italian, its first ever Italian adaptation and the first ever Italian translation of a John Romeril play. It was also the first ever performance of a John Romeril play in Italy. The Italian adaptation was devised from La Barricatta dell ' Eureka - Raffaello Carboni, a cura da Gaetano Rando. The play was directed by Peter Dunn, designed by Casey Van Sebille with music by Brian Torry. James Instrill Walker served as technician. Carboni not only pays tribute to one of the most significant events in the evolution of Australian democracy, but also acknowledges Australia's cultural diversity. A tribute to those who have migrated to Australia, so diverse yet all united in their struggle for a better life - a struggle that was the backbone of the Eureka Stockade. This project was assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Rafaello carboni,play,canberra,republic,The Australian Republican Movement,ARM,Tuggeranong Arts Centre,National Multicultural Festival,CARBONI,Eureka,ellis,warhurst