By Helen Pitt
Tamworth-born Indigenous performer Googoorewon Knox, who plays president George Washington when musical Hamilton reopens in Sydney later this month, would be singing a country and western lament if his grandparents had their way.
His paternal grandfather is the legendary country star Roger Knox, known as Australia’s Black Elvis and the Koori King of Country.
His maternal grandmother, country singer Auriel Andrew, was the first Aboriginal woman to perform on television in the early 1970s on Reg Lindsay’s Country and Western Hour.
“Coming from the country music capital there was an expectation,” said the 31-year-old performer, known as Goori. “I do enjoy my country and western music, especially the music my grandfather made, but alas, it was not for me.”
He credits his parents – blues musician Buddy Knox and former dancer Sarina Andrew – for steering him in an entirely different musical direction.
Goori Knox’s grandmother, Auriel Andrew, performing in 1971.
“I was raised by a mum who was into rock, and she is the reason that I like musicals. The first musical I ever saw was Jesus Christ Superstar – the Glenn Carter 2000 version – then she showed us the 1970s version, and I was hooked,” said Knox, during rehearsals for the show which opens for previews on July 30, with opening night August 8.
“My ability to dance comes from her – my singing’s on both sides of the family,” said Knox, the youngest of five.
While a student at Tamworth’s Peel High School, he auditioned for the NSW Schools Spectacular, but didn’t get in.
Goori Knox’s grandfather Roger Knox, known as Australia’s Black Elvis.Credit: Fairfax Media
“My dad was a driving force for getting me out of town. He took me to Sydney to take part in the talent development project for a couple of days every month for two years,” he said.
After school Knox was scouted to attend Sydney Actor’s School on a scholarship, and has since performed in television shows like Black Snow, Erotic Stories and While the Men are Away.
His breakthrough role was at this year’s Sydney Festival in Big Name, No Blankets where he played George Rrurrambu Burarrwanga, the charismatic lead singer of the Warumpi Band, alongside his elder brother Teangi, as Warumpi drummer Gordon Butcher. He was thrilled to be cast as Washington in the Tony, Grammy, Olivier and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical in its final season.
Jason Arrow (centre) returns as lead role Hamilton in the musical which starts its final season later this month.Credit: Daniel Boud
“Having read up about George Washington now, his mastery of himself is what made him a great leader. Under all circumstances, he kept his composure. He was one of history’s most powerful stoic men,” Knox said.
Along with Knox, Etuate Lutui, Vidya Makan, Gerard-Luke Malgas, and Tainga Savage are making their Hamilton debuts in principal roles. They join Australia’s original Alexander Hamilton, Jason Arrow, in the rap-inspired musical that includes over 21,000 lyrics written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Producer Michael Cassel said Sydney would be the final stop for the musical which first opened here in March 2021.
“Sydney embraced the show so it felt right to come home here to end,” Cassel said.
Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.