Riverside's National Theatre of Parramatta 2020 Program

In 2020, Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) will present national and world premieres, a new initiative for local talent, and a continued commitment to providing high quality theatre.

In January, NTofP will present the world-premiere of James Elazzi’s comedy, Lady Tabouli, directed by Dino Dimitriadis (The Girl/The Woman, Angels in America). Lady Tabouli is an unapologetic examination of culture clashes in contemporary Australiaand a searing look at how expectations can eat away at us until we decide to change the rules. An earlier development of Lady Tabouli enjoyed sold out shows at the Griffin Theatre’s 2019 Batch Festival.

In support of the talent in Western Sydney and their unique stories, NTofP will launch a new initiative in June, Stage West. Kicking off with a double-bill from two young local creatives, Stage West will celebrate stories that explore the living life in Australia in the here and now, and how we define ourselves.

This double bill includes The Sorry Mum Project by Pippa Ellams, a witty observation on life, empathy, regret and reconciliation that takes audiences on a journey from Fairfield RSL to Paris’ Moulin Rouge and the world-premiere of LetMe Know When You Get Home by Miranda Aguilar, a heart-felt narrative on biological and chosen families, friendships, first loves, and ultimately, the universal desire to make a home and to be with your tribe.

As part of Riverside’s Spot on Children’s Festival in September, NTofP will present the Australian premiere of the choose-your-own-adventure, live-action, interactive video game, Zombie Thoughts. Young audiences will control how the play evolves in a fun, and sometimes slightly scary, virtual world. First written by Jennifer and Oliver Kokai when Oliver was just nine years old, Zombie Thoughts is a touching and often funny journey that was inspired by Oliver’s own childhood anxieties, in an action-packed game.

In November, NTofP welcomes the return of director Anthea Williams (Flight Paths, Since Ali Died), for a comical and poignant musical mystery, Things I Could Never Tell Steven, written by Western Sydney’s Jye Bryant. Who is this charismatic Steven, who everyone wants in their lives? Audiences are taken into the world of Steven’s family and friends in a touching and intriguing look at modern relationships.

Throughout 2020 NTofP will also continue a number of successful development initiatives open to Western Sydney’s most promising new professional and emerging artists, including Playwrights of Parramatta, theCreative Futures Program and the Directors Professional Development Program.

NTofP Executive Producer, Joanne Kee, said, “It’s really exciting in our fifth year to be able to showcase a different perspective on Western Sydney. Many of our upcoming works are from local artists who take ownership of their narrative and how they are perceived. It’s not always easy going, there are often close family ties and strong cultural beliefs that make expressing your voice a brave action. However, this is what our writers have managed to achieve with humour, love and dignity.”

NATIONAL THEATRE OF PARRAMATTA’S 2020 PROGRAM OF WORKS:

LADY TABOULI – 9^th – 18^th January (World Premiere)

Director: Dino Dimitriadis

Playwright: James Elazzi

With: Nisrine Amine, Deborah Galanos, Antony Makhlouf and Johnny Nasser.

STAGE WEST DOUBLE BILL – 26^th – 29^th June

The Sorry Mum Project

Director: Hannah Goodwin

Playwright: Pippa Ellams

With: Pippa Ellams

Let Me Know When You Get Home (World Premiere)

Director: Valerie Berry

Playwright: Miranda Aguilar

ZOMBIE THOUGHTS – 15^th – 26^th September (Australian Premiere)

Director: Warwick Dodrell

Playwright: Jennifer A Kokai and Oliver Kokai

With: Jeremi Campese, Amy Hack and Angela Nica Sullen

THINGS I COULD NEVER TELL STEVEN – 5^th – 14^th November

Director: Anthea Williams

Playwright: Jye Bryant

For further information on the program and tickets, visit https://riversideparramatta.com.au/NTofP.

Images: Zombie Thoughts and Sorry Mum.

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