From our ancient past to the frantic now
Who are the women of the Riverina? Sit by the ancient Wollundry Lagoon with Aunty Cheryl, have a drink with Wagga Wagga licensee Selina O’Hara in the 1870s, grab a bargain at Best and Less with refugee Roz, dance with Immi’s high school ghosts in Tarcutta Memorial Hall, and remember to bottle your fruit during the war for the national larder.
Gathered from stories written by women across the region, this powerful new work celebrates heartfelt moments, connection, beauty and comedy. Through stories, dance and music, the show takes the audience in a leap from ancient times, through the war years, to the frantic now.
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Women of the Riverina is a collaborative script of 10 short stories, with commissioned music by Australian composer Elizabeth Jigalin. It is written by artists, writers and performers in the Riverina, derived from mentorships, workshops and callouts. The script was developed from a series of storytelling workshops, readings and live shows on Wiradjuri Country in rural halls and in Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. It has been written in collaboration with groups and women from diverse communities, including Wiradjuri Elders, Curious Rabbit arts hub for LGBTQI artists, Eastern Riverina Arts, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery community, Booranga Writers, and Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga.
Women of the Riverina is suitable for small theatres, gallery spaces and arts centres. It has been presented successfully to sell out audiences at KXT Broadway in Sydney and Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.
Artistic Director: Lliane Clarke
Written by: Aunty Cheryl Penrith, Arvis Casanova, Claudia Haines, Gabrielle Tozer, Haya Arzidin, Imogen Rubi, Jody Roberts, Joy Lubawy, Lliane Clarke, Marie Clear, Melanie Reeves, Roz Hasan
Photography: Karen Watson, Damien Jenkins.