Archived

In Our
Name

By Nigel Jamieson, in association with the Al Abaddi Family
Directed by Nigel Jamieson

  • Venue Upstairs Theatre
  • Dates 22 Apr – 30 May 2004

    Australia once seemed a tolerant country – we took pride in the rich mix of cultures that made up the soup, we were in line with the civilised world in helping and accepting into our embrace refugees who had escaped from horrors that few of us can imagine. When our government discovered that an election might be won by playing on the worst fear of an anxious electorate, the fear of difference, our country changed.

    In Our Name is Company B’s response to this sad turn of history. Created by Nigel Jamieson, a visionary director of the 2000 Olympic Games Opening ceremony, All of Me and The Theft of Sita, In Our Name tells the true story of the Al Abaddi family: their escape from violent persecution in Iraq, their continuous displacement, their attempts to find a secure and peaceful home in Australia, and the three and a half years spent behind razor wire in Curtin, Port Hedland and Villawood.

    It gives a voice to five year old Afnan, to fifteen year old Humam, to their mother and father; it reveals the courage, love and dignity with which these remarkable people have fought to remain a family.

    Team

    By Nigel Jamieson, in association with the Al Abaddi Family
    Directed by Nigel Jamieson
    Set and Costume Design Stephen Curtis
    Lighting Design Damien Cooper
    Audio Visual Design Glen Yeoh
    Sound Design Steve Francis
    Original Paintings and Drawings Jafim & Humam Al Abaddi
    Composer & Music Director Sandy Evans
    Composer & Musician Hussain Samawi
    Musician Davood A Tabrizi
    Assistant Director Claudia Chidiac
    Stage Manager Anna Kosky

    Cast

    Silvia Entcheva
    Haydar Haydari
    Ruchira Jagtap
    Tiriel Mora
    Isabelle Nicholas
    Christopher Pitman
    Majid Shokor
    Saskia Smith

    Production images by Heidrun Lohr

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