HART

“I was always like, like a magnet with my Dad, like everywhere he went I was right next to him… He never got rid of me…”

Throughout Australia’s history, an unknown number of Indigenous children have been forcibly removed from their families. Parents driven mad, grandparents heartbroken, siblings torn apart, language lost, and culture stripped away.

Using testimonials from the Stolen Generations, Noongar man Ian Michael invites you to listen in on the silenced stories of his country.

Winner:
– Best Emerging Artist (Adelaide Fringe 2016)
– Best Emerging Indigenous Artist (Melbourne Fringe 2015)
– SA Tour Ready Award (Melbourne Fringe 2015)
– Tiki Tour Ready Award (Melbourne Fringe 2015)

Nominee:
– 2015 Green Room Award for Best Production – Independent Theatre

“A brave and quietly devastating performance… Moving theatre that handles some emotionally harrowing material with dignity and grace.”
— Cameron Woodhead, The Age

“One of the most important pieces of Australian theatre…in a long time.”
— Jen St Jack, Great Scott! ★★★★★

“Beautiful, heartbreaking and liberating storytelling… A story about us and now.”
— Anne-Marie Peard, AussieTheatre.com

“Moving, enlightening and entertaining work that is an important addition to our understanding of… terrible events.”
— David Zampatti, The West Australian ★★★★½

“These are small-scale individual histories situated within a large political maelstrom… Startling images and a starting place for discussion.”
— Janet McAllister, NZ Herald

“An active part in the ongoing… narrative of centring Indigenous voices and history.”
— Dione Joseph, theatreview.org.nz

2018 Performance Dates

Proudly supported by Regional Arts Victoria

Mar 6/ Horsham Town Hall
Mar 8/ Mildura Arts Centre
Mar 10/ Kerang Memorial Hall
Mar 14/ The Bowery Theatre, STACC
Mar 15/ Geelong Performing Arts Centre
Mar 18/ Latrobe Performing Arts Centre
Mar 22/ Whitehorse Centre
Mar 24/ Burrinja, Upwey
May 3/ Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
May 4/ Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre
May 7/ Narrogin Town Hall
May 10-12/ Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
May 16/ Casula Powerhouse
May 24/ Swan Hill Performing Arts Centre
June 1-2/ Wyndham Cultural Centre

Concept & Performed by Ian Michael
Directed by Penny Harpham
Text/ Ian Michael & Seanna van Helten
Set & Costume Design/ Chloe Greaves
Composition & Sound Design/ Raya Slavin
Lighting Design/ Katie Sfetkidis
AV Design/ Michael Carmody
Stage & Production Management/ Kate Brennan
Producers/ Seanna van Helten & Penny Harpham
Promotional photography/ Gabi Briggs