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.
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Heart is a Wasteland
First Peoples storytelling and live music combine in an uplifting, cross-country love story.
by John Harvey
**** '...moving, enlightening and utterly refreshing.’ – Theatre People
Raye, a country-music star in the making, plays pub-to-pub along Australia’s vast desert highways, trying to make a living in the hope of returning home to her son, Elvis. But when she meets Dan, another young wanderer at the cross-roads of life, a love affair unfurls over a four-day drive to Alice Springs.
Following a sell-out premiere season at Darwin Festival 2021, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company’s Heart is a Wasteland – directed by the company’s multi- award-winning Artistic Director Rachael Maza AM – brings John Harvey’s humorous and deeply heartfelt script to life.
With original music by Lydia Fairhall, exquisitely arranged by Gary Watling; beautiful audio-visual design – this production brings Australia’s stunning outback right to the front – matched by the vitality of its young leads.
Heart is a Wasteland exposes a soul-warming battle of egos, recognising everyone’s individual right to love.
We were thrilled to have taken Heart is a Wasteland back on the road in 2022.
TOUR 2022
Gippsland Performing Arts Centre
Friday 29 July, 7pm
Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, NSW
Thursday 4 August & Friday 5 August, 7pm
Friday 5 August, 1pm matinee
Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio
Thursday 25 August – Saturday 27 August, 7.30pm
Saturday 27 August matinee, 1pm
Friday 26 August performance includes post-show Q&A and is Auslan Interpreted. Check out the schools' performances here too.
Heart is a Wasteland is a RISING co-production. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
CREATIVE CREDITS
| WRITER John Harvey (Saibai Island)
DIRECTOR Dr Rachael Maza AM (Yidinji/Meriam) PERFORMERS Monica Jasmine Karo (Gunai/Gunditjmara), Ari Maza Long (Yidinji/Meriam), Gary Watling (Wiradjuri)
SONGWRITER Lydia Fairhall (Worimi) MUSICAL DIRECTOR & ARRANGEMENTS Gary Watling (Wiradjuri) SOUND DESIGN James Henry (Yuwaalaraay/Yorta Yorta) SET & COSTUME DESIGN Emily Barrie LIGHTING DESIGN Niklas Pajanti AV DESIGN Sean Bacon PRODUCTION MANAGER Glenn Dulihanty STAGE MANAGER Olivia Walker DRAMATURG Mark Pritchard PRODUCER Alexandra Paige (Taungurung) |
SHOW INFORMATION
Running time: 75 minutes, no interval
Content warning: Strong language, sexual references, suitable for ages 15+
Key Image: Aaron Walker
Gallery photos by Dean Arcuri and Fiona Morrison
