Nearly 20 years after its first performance, National Theatre of Parramatta will premiere a new production of Jane Harrison’s acclaimed play, Stolen at the Riverside Theatres from 2 June 2016.
Directed by renowned Indigenous performance maker, Vicki Van Hout, who will present a fresh take on this poignant and relevant story about the Stolen Generations of children – a story that will continue to resonate long after the performance.
There is no single story for the Stolen Generations. Jane Harrison tells audiences about five Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families and their individual stories, from the harsh regime in the children’s home to an adopted life. The theme of a deep desire to belong runs throughout this play. Segregated from their community, the children begin their journey ‘home’ after their release but not all of them successfully.
Reflecting the pain, poignancy and sheer desperation of ‘The Lost Children’, Stolen is a tale of these children’s experiences struggling to make sense of a world where they have been told to forget their families, their homes and their culture. This moving production revisits Jane Harrison’s important historical text in the context of Australia today.
“It is important that works like Stolen, which reveal a social atrocity, remain in the public realm because they act as reminders to behave with kindness and integrity,’ said Vicki Van Hout. “These works do more than entertain, they are a symbol, a magnifying glass trained on society, using our past foibles as a tool for the way to move forward.”
As National Theatre of Parramatta’s second major work in their inaugural season, Stolen will reflect the company’s mission to present work that resonates with audiences, allowing them to immerse themselves in a story about the importance of family, the issues that have impacted strongly on Aboriginal families and the history of a nation.
Director: Vicki Van Hout Featuring: Matilda Brown, Kerri Simpson, Mathew Cooper, Berthalia Selina Reuben, Henrietta Baird Lighting Design: Toby Knyvett Sound Design: Phil Downing Costume and Set Designer: Imogen Ross Stage Manager: Carl Sciberras Production Manager: Annette Rowlison Assistant to the Director: Bianca Cruse
Stolen
Lennox Theatre – Riverside Theatres, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Season: 2 – 17 June 2016
Bookings: (02) 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au
For more information, visit: www.riversideparramatta.com.au for details.
Image: Kerri Simpson – photo by Amanda James