We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Elders, Ancestors and leaders of the Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands ILBIJERRI Theatre Company is based.
We extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, recognising their resilience and ongoing connection to land, water and culture, despite ongoing colonial interruption and genocide.
Always was, always will be, sacred Indigenous land.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be advised that this website may contain images of deceased persons.
Chopped Liver
Presented by ILBIJERRI Theatre Company
She ran away.
He ran amuck.
And one day they ran into each other…
Meet Lynne & Jim. They’ve both been around the block – working, protesting, jail, partying, and kids. Now they’ve come home - but can they leave their past behind?
A Blak Comedy about life, love and being more than “chopped liver”.
CHOPPED LIVER was written by Kamarra Bell-Wykes to raise awareness of hepatitis C in the Indigenous community, and toured nationally from 2006 to 2009. In 2017 the show returns by popular demand and has been updated to communicate that a cure is now available for hepatitis C.
This show is deadly. Hepatitis C doesn’t have to be.
CHOPPED LIVER is supported by the Victorian Government.
History of the show
In 2005 ILBIJERRI was approached by the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services to develop a play that would communicate hepatitis C prevention and education messages in a culturally appropriate way to the Indigenous community. This project became CHOPPED LIVER. In 2008, the show was awarded an Indigenous Community Justice Award for outstanding contribution towards improved social justice for the Koori Community in the Enforcement Initiative, as well as the prestigious Secretary’s Award at the 2008 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards, for keeping people well in the community.
Since CHOPPED LIVER, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company has continued to work with the Department of Health & Human Services, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and Hepatitis Victoria to write two further health promotion plays - BODY ARMOUR & NORTH WEST OF NOWHERE. In 2013 this successful partnership was recognised with a Creative Partnerships Australia Arts & Health Award.
Live performance, particularly comedy, is an effective tool in breaking down social boundaries where certain concepts and issues are considered too confronting to publicly discuss. CHOPPED LIVER is particularly effective in raising awareness and opening opportunities for discussion, prevention and support for young people. The show continues to be relevant to Indigenous audiences, especially at this exciting time of Direct Acting Antiviral availability to cure hepatitis C in our community, with few side effects and a 95% success rate.
Production History
10 July to 21 July 2017- Victorian Tour
Dandenong | Dandenong and District Aborigines Cooperative Ltd
Monday 10 July 2pm – The Drum Theatre | Public Performance
Collingwood | CoHealth
Tuesday 11 July 10am – Harmsworth Hall | Public Performance
Tuesday 11 July 5pm – Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) | Closed Performance
Wednesday 12 July 10.30am – Odyssey House | Closed Performance
Wednesday 12 July 3.30pm – Star Health - Launch Housing Southbank | Closed Performance
Prahran | Star Health
Thursday 13 July 11am & 5pm – Chapel Off Chapel, Mezzanine Space | Public Performance
Friday 14 July 11am – Metropolitan Remand Centre | Closed Performance
South Yarra | Living Positive Centre
Friday 14 July 4pm – Living Positive Centre | Public Performance
Gisborne | Macedon Ranges Health
Monday 17 July 10.30am – Gisborne Secondary College | Public Performance
Waurn Ponds | Institute of Koorie Education
Monday 17 July 5.30pm – Harold Mitchell Performance Space, Deakin University | Public Performance
Tuesday 18 July 1.30pm – Barwon Prison | Closed Performance
Geelong | Mooregrace Acting Studios
Tuesday 18 July 7pm – Mooregrace Acting Studios | Public Performance
Shepparton | Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative
Wednesday 19 July 2pm – Harmony Building | Public Performance
Thursday 20 July 12.30am – Tarrengower Prison | Closed Performance
Friday 21 July 10am – Middleton Prison | Closed Performance
Friday 21 July 1pm – Loddon Prison | Closed Performance
15 September to 25 September 2009 -New South Wales Tour
25 August to 10 September 2009 - Western Australia Tour
28 July to 20 August 2009 - Victorian Tour
17 to 18 November 2008 - Queensland Tour (Cherbourg)
21 to 30 October 2008 – Tasmanian Tour
23 September to 16 October 2008 - Western Australia Tour
26 August to 5 September 2008 - South Australia Tour
17 June to 17 July 2008 - New South Wales Tour
31 October 2007 - Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
10 September to 12 October 2007 - Victorian Tour
27 August to 7 September 2007 - South Australia Tour
20 November to 1 December 2006 - Victorian Tour
2017 Victorian tour dates & venues
Dandenong | Dandenong and District Aborigines Cooperative Ltd
Monday 10 July 2pm – The Drum Theatre | Public Performance
226 Lonsdale Street & Walker Street Dandenong VIC 3175 | map
Collingwood | CoHealth
Tuesday 11 July 10am – Harmsworth Hall | Public Performance
31 Harmsworth Street Collingwood VIC 3066 | map
Tuesday 11 July 5pm – Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) | Closed Performance
Wednesday 12 July 10.30am – Odyssey House | Closed Performance
Wednesday 12 July 3.30pm – Star Health - Launch Housing Southbank | Closed Performance
Prahran | Star Health
Thursday 13 July 11am & 5pm – Chapel Off Chapel, Mezzanine Space | Public Performance
12 Little Chapel Street Prahran VIC 3181 | map
Friday 14 July 11am – Metropolitan Remand Centre | Closed Performance
South Yarra | Living Positive Centre
Friday 14 July 4pm – Living Positive Centre | Public Performance
51 Commercial Road South Yarra VIC 3141 | map
Gisborne | Macedon Ranges Health
Monday 17 July 10.30am – Gisborne Secondary College | Public Performance
Gisborne Melton Rd, Gisborne VIC 3437 | map
Waurn Ponds | Institute of Koorie Education
Monday 17 July 5.30pm – Harold Mitchell Performance Space, Deakin University | Public Performance
75 Pigdons Road Waurn Ponds VIC 3216 | map
Tuesday 18 July 1.30pm – Barwon Prison | Closed Performance
Geelong | Mooregrace Acting Studios
Tuesday 18 July 7pm – Mooregrace Acting Studios | Public Performance
Studio 2, 394 Pakington Street Geelong VIC 3216 | map
Shepparton | Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative
Wednesday 19 July 2pm – Harmony Building | Public Performance
20 Rumbalara Rd Mooroopna VIC 3629 | map
Thursday 20 July 12.30am – Tarrengower Prison | Closed Performance
Friday 21 July 10am – Middleton Prison | Closed Performance
Friday 21 July 1pm – Loddon Prison | Closed Performance
Creative Team
Writer & Director Kamarra Bell-Wykes Performers Gregory J Fryer & Nazaree Dickerson Dramaturg John Romeril Choreographer Carly Sheppard Set & Costume Designer Darryl Cordell Sound Designer Richie Hallal Tour Facilitator Richie Hallal Stage Manager Ari Maza Long
