Inheritance by Toni Janke

A bold and deeply moving theatrical experience, Inheritance is a poetic and musical journey into identity, resilience, and the sacred bonds that connect us across time. Created and performed by acclaimed First Nations artist Toni Janke at QPAC’s intimate Cremorne Theatre, this live music show weaves original songs, storytelling, and lived experience into a tapestry of profound cultural memory and spiritual reclamation. At its heart lies a question that resonates with all of us: What do we truly inherit – and what will we choose to pass on?

Framed around the metaphor of a “precious jewel” gifted through generations, Inheritance explores the intangible treasures of ancestry – our stories, values, and worldviews – and how they shape our understanding of self, belonging, and purpose. Through heartfelt ballads, soul-infused lyricism, and vibrant acoustic soundscapes, Janke creates a dynamic fusion that speaks directly to the heart.

“When I was growing up, singing and storytelling were such an important part of our culture, and still are today,” reflects Janke. “While spoken word can convey truth, music and song captivates the spirit. Together they weave memory, history, and emotion into something that you don’t just hear – but you actually feel and experience.”

Janke is joined by an exceptional ensemble including musicians Nicole Perry, Caz Higgs, and Kevin Haigh, actors Zalika Bani-Ghee and Emily Reid, and First Nations dancers Tjilala Brown-Roberts and Harold Pascoe with choreography by Jeanette Fabila.

A proud descendant of the Wuthathi, Yadhaigana, and Meriam peoples, Janke has sustained a remarkable 35-year career across music and First Nations advocacy. Presented through a meaningful partnership between QPAC and BEMAC, Inheritance is not just a performance – it is a soul-to-soul exchange that transforms, heals, and inspires.

Photo: Ange Costes Photography

Presented by BEMAC and QPAC.

7:00pm, Thursday 2 April
Cremorne Theatre
QPAC, South Brisbane
Tickets $49 via QPAC

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.