Currently in Development
National Theatre of Parramatta has been selected as a recipient of Creative Australia’s inaugural Creative Future Fund to develop an epic new theatrical drama, Darwin to Dixon Street. This exciting new project will put the contribution of Australia’s Chinese community at its centre, weaving together multi-generational stories into a compelling new Australian play.
The work will offer contemporary audiences’ fresh insight into Australia’s recent history -particularly the circumstances that led to Chinese migration from Darwin to Dixon Street. Through events such as the bombing of Darwin, compulsory land acquisition, raiding gambling dens and the White Australia policy, the play will unpack moments that shaped the Chinese Australian experience.
In this initial research and creative development phase, National Theatre of Parramatta is reaching out to community and sector partners to collaborate on the delivery of targeted community engagement and story sharing sessions, including one-on-one interviews, panel discussions, readings and curated community event nights.
Some of the core creative team are headed to Darwin and Cairns this June to connect with the local Chinese Australian community and learn more of it’s rich history. NTofP are partnering with Brown’s Mart who will be hosting the team for the first week of June to support this research stage. Brown’s Mart’s Live on Friday’s event on June 5 will be a celebration of the local Chinese community with the Darwin to Dixon St team wrapping up their week in residence. Come along if you’re in town!