The Wire

Native American actors and directors are taking part in an innovative Australian indigenous theatre concept, brought together by New York’s Immigrants’ Theatre Project, the Australian Aboriginal Theatre Initiative and Melbourne’s Playbox Theatre. The Andrea James play Yanagai! Yanagai! was first to feature in the series of New York play readings – an expressionist production about how the Australian government’s denial of native land rights affected a family. Ria Jack talked with Ms James, who explained that she began writing the play following a legal judgement that the Yorta Yorta had no claim to their lands. Box the Pony by Scott Rankin and Leah Purcell has also been performed, and Stolen by Jane Harrison will be staged in a few days time. A highlight will be the final reading – Conversations with the Dead at the United Nations on May 18. Featuring Aaron Pederson, the play looks at black deaths in custody. Kirrily Boulton spoke to Playwright and Human rights worker Richard Frankland about the honour of having his play read in an international forum. It will happen at about the same time as federal Parliament considers the abolition of ATSIC. Mr. Frankland describes Prime Minister Howard as living in a time warp and having a nursery version of Australia’s history – which makes him a dangerous person to have in charge.