Watershed

As his body hit the water, few heard the impact. But the ripple effect of the murderous act defied natural law and swelled to seismic scale.

It’s half a century since the infamous drowning of Dr George Ian Ogilvie Duncan; a moment in time that triggered an alleged police cover-up, a city-wide scandal, national outrage, a Scotland Yard investigation… and a glaring absence of convictions. Most importantly, Dr Duncan’s death led South Australia to decriminalise homosexuality, ahead of the rest of the country.

Watershed, a ravishing operatic work and the hit of the 2022 Adelaide Festival, is written as an oratorio. It turns the illicit into the sacred through choral music, solo voices and dance. Lewis Major’s choreography sits inside Neil Armfield’s production — as deeply felt as it is thrillingly physical.

Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Performed in English. Contains strong sexual references, homophobic violence and explicit language.