History is rarely a single story, yet Australian theatre has long privileged one version of it. In Bennelong in London, Jane Harrison reclaims one of Australia’s mythologised historical figures through a work that is as much about the language of history as it is about history itself.

Googoorewon Knox and Guy Simon in Sydney Theatre Company’s Bennelong in London. Photo © Daniel Boud

Harrison’s 90-minute play follows a young First Nations actor (Guy Simon, The Visitors, The Tempest) preparing to audition for the role of Bennelong. As Bennelong (Googoorewon Knox, Hamilton) steps from his imagination, both men are drawn back to the late 18th century, revisiting first contact, Bennelong’s relationship with Barangaroo and his journey to England while exploring how these stories continue to shape Aboriginal identity today.

That conversation is anchored by two compelling performances. Simon embodies the burden of inheriting a history too often told by others, while in his theatre company debut, Googoorewon Knox refuses to reduce Bennelong to either hero or collaborator. His performance finds a man negotiating impossible circumstances with charisma, curiosity and contradiction.

Together, they ensure the play’s...