A true-life testimony to people-power, and persistence.
Back to Bilo is the profoundly moving new play from celebrated local company Belloo Creative (Boy, Lost) made with — and from — the heart of regional Queensland.
Priya and Nades left war-torn Sri Lanka and found each other in regional Queensland. They married, had two daughters, worked hard and settled into a simple but happy country life.
Their community welcomed the new family with open arms — until four years later, after an unexpected knock at the door, they were ripped away in a dawn raid. The family’s story could have ended there, but a brave band of Biloela women weren’t giving up so easily. Fighting alongside the young refugee family, the women launched a grassroots campaign that galvanised hundreds of thousands of ordinary Australians demanding the family be brought back home.
This is the remarkable true account of one family’s ordeal in the nightmare limbo of immigration detention, a story proving that love is stronger than fear and that persistence and togetherness can win against crushing odds.
Dates & Times
3 - 16 Sep
Duration: 90 mins, no interval.
Venue
Prices & Ticket Info
Adult Single Tickets from $70 Concession Single Tickets from $68 35 & Under Single Tickets from $35
Accessibility
- Assistive Listening
- Wheelchair Access
Auslan Interpreted and Audio Described Performance: Fri 12 Sep, 7:30pm
Audio Described Performance: Sat 13 Sep, 2pm
Important Info
This production includes loud noises, flashing lights, backout, haze, and mature content and themes such as war, detention, and children in distress.
Recommended for ages 14+
Credits
Cast
Leah Vandenberg
Matt Domingo
Sarah McIntosh
Liz Buchanan
Erika Naddei
Menaka Thomas
Creatives
Katherine Lyall-Watson - Writer
Caroline Dunphy - Director
Matt Scholten - Original Concept
Janaki Gerard - Assistant Director
Govin Ruben - Production Design (Lighting & Set)
Keerthi Subramanyam - Costume and Props Design
Guy Webster - Sound Design
Guy Webster & Menaka Thomas - Composers
Mic Gruchy - Video Designer
Shaun Charles - Videographer (Biloela Video Content)
Tamil Cultural Consultants Sudhesh Somu & Vashini Jayakumar
Dr Kathryn Kelly - Dramaturg
Performing Lines - Producer
Kristen Maloney - Producer (Belloo)
Charlotte Haywood - Foyer Installation Artist
Max Bowyer - Design Associate (Set)
Image by Stephanie Coombes
Supported By
This project 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 Brisbane Festival, Darwin Festival, Perth Festival and Queensland Theatre.
Reviews
Cathy Hunt, Women of the World Festival