The Line is an international and multicultural collaboration between First Peoples of Australia, Irish artists, and non-indigenous Australians. Australia’s First Peoples and Irish populations share a history of severe oppression by colonisers. Set against the backdrop of the infamous Black Wars in 19th Century Tasmania, The Line examines the immediate impact of colonisation on Muka, an Aboriginal woman, and Bríd, a pregnant Irish convict. Seemingly opposed, both are battling the force that has devastated their cultures. Their ultimate bond provides refuge, affirmation, strength, and a path to mutual respect.
It is not a history play. Dynamic visuals will immerse the audience in the Tasmanian wilderness and the surges of violence that come from nature and war. The Line is aimed at a national and international audience, most of whom hold misconceptions about both cultures, and are ignorant of what occurred in Tasmania.
Creative development #2: Hobart, July 2018
Projected Premiere: 2020.
The Line contributes a bold and largely unheard perspective on our past. It is being created by a uniquely multicultural, cross-disciplinary team: creatively and culturally informed by Australian First Peoples artists from Tasmania and around Australia and paired with artists from Irish and Australian cultures. The Line will shed light on parallels between Aboriginal and Irish experiences of colonisation and draw common threads between the cultures. Resilience is one of those threads, both having stood up to their oppressors and survived. We have built a team where both voices are authentic and strong.
We need financial assistance to develop the full potential of this work; bringing together a team from Ireland and Australia is expensive! In this campaign we are seeking support to pay the fees and costs of our Indigenous creatives. We have received generous support from the Irish and UK Governments. Without our Indigenous artists we don’t have a project. “Nothing about us, without us!”
Donations will be used to pay wages, travel and accommodation costs for the Indigenous artists on the team, some of whom are Tasmanian, others are travelling from Victoria and WA: Co-writer Nathan Maynard, Co-director Eva Grace Mullaley, Lighting Designer Chloe Ogilvie, Performer Ebony McGuire, Musician Dewayne Everett-Smith, and Production Assistant Denise Proctor. The two-week creative development will implement Cultural safety protocols and engage all artists with the Tasmanian Palawa community, produce a next-stage script, devise an approach to performance style, and revisions to our visual approach and soundscape. We will then refine those findings throughout 2019, with a premiere production in 2020.
For more information, CLICK HERE for details regarding synopsis, production form and approach.
Contact:
Eva Grace Mullaley, Co-Director
Mo: 0401 915 222
eva.grace.2903@gmail.com
Nancy Black, Co-Director
Mo: 0419 303 523
nancy@blackholetheatre.com.au
