ILBIJERRI Theatre Company
(Australia)
Theatre · World premiere
THE LINE
(Australia)
A border drawn in blood cuts through time.
On October 7th, 1830, more than 2,200 soldiers and settlers reported to seven pre-arranged locations across “Van Diemen’s” land to execute the largest domestic military operation in Australian history. The plan – to form a human chain across the entire island, advancing gradually to forcefully displace Palawa people – later became known as ‘The Black Line’. In this major new work, award-winning Trawlwoolway and Palawa playwright Nathan Maynard shines an unflinching light on the violence that stretches from the Frontier Wars through to the present.
As ‘The Black Line’ cuts across the country, widowed settler Jane and her Palawa servant Muka find themselves in the eye of the storm brewing around them. Living on a remote property, their volatile yet symbiotic relationship will be pushed to extremes. While anchored in the past, Maynard’s propulsive and ambitious show is far from a simple period piece: it leaps and loops across time, Country and form.
Prepare for a journey that is at once playful, devastating and transformational. Co-directed by Maynard and Dr Rachael Maza AM, THE LINE weaves immense historical and contemporary weight into a work of deft, defiant drama. The Line is anything but straight.
Major Partner
Government Partners
Credits
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer Nathan Maynard
Co-directors Nathan Maynard & Dr Rachael Maza AM
Set & Costume design Richard Roberts
Set & Costume design Associate Sky Maynard
Video Design Sean Bacon
Video co-Design Emma Holgate
Lighting Design Karen Norris
Sound Design / Composer James Henry
Sound Design / Composition Associate Clay Maynard
Puppet Design Terrapin & Cliff Dolliver
Puppetry Direction Terrapin
Associate Puppetry Director Scout McDonald
Movement Director Luke Currie-Richardson
Photography Tiffany Garvie
PERFORMERS
Ella Ferris (Taribelang)
Emily Goodard
Ari Maza Long (Yidinji, Meriam)
Tibian Wyles (Warrgamay, Girramay and Kalkadoo)
Luke Currie-Richardson (Kuku Yalanji, Djabugay, Mununjali, Butchulla, and Meriam)
Corey Saylor-Brunskill (Meriam)
Scout McDonald
PRODUCED BY ILBIJERRI Theatre Company
Senior Producer Geoffrey Masters
Producer Joel Te Teira
IN ASSOCIATION WITH PERFORMING LINES
Senior Producer / Community Lead Sinsa Mansell
Senior Production Manager Nick Glen
ELDER & STORY CONSULTANT
Uncle Jim-puralia Everett-meenamatta
THE LINE has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc., commissioned by RISING Melbourne, Sydney Festival and ILBIJERRI Theatre Company.
THE LINE has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts Program and Creative Australia’s Creative Futures Fund; and is supported by the Equity Trustees Equity and Empowerment Program.
THE LINE has been created in association with Performing Lines and collaborating partner The University of Melbourne.
Important information
This production contains strong language and profanities, the use of replica firearms, haze, flashing lights and theatrical smoke.
THE LINE contains depictions of colonial violence, the forced removal of children, sexual assault and genocide. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audience members are advised that images and themes in this production may cause distress.
Recommended for audiences aged 16+.
Dates
Duration
1 hour 30 minutes (no interval).
Venue
Bennelong Point Sydney NSW 2000
Images and Video
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