In the scorching desert of the Western Australian Pilbara, the labouring men, mostly from the Torres Strait, would sing up their spirits, working with soul and rhythm as they toiled to create a railroad that would transport iron ore to the world market.

Rubina Kimiia and Norah Bagiri. Photos supplied

On 8 May, 1968, the 137 men smashed a world record when they laid, spiked and anchored almost seven kilometres of railway track (with 11,880 sleepers) in 11 hours and 40 minutes at Mount Newman, 1,100 kilometres north of Perth. It was the greatest length of railway track ever laid in a single day. All the while, they harmonised in Meriam Mir, Kala Lagaw Ya and Torres Strait Creole, among other languages.

Now, 15 singing actors – 11 men and four women – will tell their collective story in a fully staged premiere of the musical Straight from the Strait, presented by Opera Queensland, the Yumpla Nerkep Foundation and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, in association with Brisbane Festival, following a concert version tour in 2022.

Directed by Yuwi woman