Archived

Which
Way Home

By Katie Beckett
Director Rachael Maza
  • Venue Downstairs Theatre
  • Dates 11 January – 5 February 2017
  • Duration 65 minutes (no interval)

Just announced: Additional shows added on 31 January until 5 February. Don’t miss out!

Tash and her Dad have hit the road – they’re going home to country, where the sky is higher and the world goes on forever.

It’s a long way from the wide streets and big old houses of Tash’s childhood, back when she was a black face in a very white suburb. Dad still thinks he’s the King of Cool, but he’s an old fella now. It’s time for Tash to take him home.

Katie Beckett’s written a road movie for the stage, which is also a beautiful father-daughter story. I especially like the way it catches the extraordinary amounts of love that bind Indigenous Australia together. – Eamon

An ILBIJERRI Theatre Company production in association with Belvoir & Sydney Festival

Indigenous theatre at Belvoir supported by The Balnaves Foundation

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Katie Beckett. Image: Brett Boardman

Team

Writer Katie Beckett
Director Rachael Maza
Dramaturg Jane Bodie
Sound Designer Mark Coles Smith
Lighting Designer Niklas Pajanti
Set & Costume Designer Emily Barrie

Cast

Katie Beckett
Tony Briggs

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Production images by Brett Boardman
  • Writer’s Note

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    Katie Beckett

    Which Way Home developed after my Dad’s last heart attack (Dad has had a number of near death experiences and nothing can hold my old man down). I was so scared of losing him that I wanted to give him something so he knows how special he is and what he means to me. I have a unique closeness to my Dad – he is my dad, my mum, and at times my best friend. This is a story of unconditional love.

    I would like to thank ILBIJERRI Theatre Company for their support over the last few years in helping me create this work. Especially Rachael Maza who is one in a quadrillion, Jane Bodie, as without her guidance and knowledge I would have been lost and frustrated (as the old saying goes, an excellent dramaturg is worth their weight in gold or even more), Belvoir for getting behind this project and putting it on, Anthea Williams for coming to numerous developments and leaving me with questions to think about to make the play stronger, and Tony Briggs for playing the best dad, and who is also a fantastic dad.

    But my biggest thanks go to my Dad and son who are always behind me and have my back at my weakest, saddest and strongest moments. I know I have two special men always holding my hand.

  • Director’s Note

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    Rachael Maza

    Working with Katie Beckett on her first play Which Way Home has been an absolute joy. Katie’s generosity, courage, hard work and talent over the last couple of years paid off with this very special production. In the rehearsal room, I have had the pleasure of working with both her and the glorious, equally multi-talented Tony Briggs. It’s experiences like this that affirm why I love what I do!

    Although the development journey lasted several years, our premiere season of Which Way Home couldn’t have been more timely; opening just as the country was reeling from an infamous racist cartoon (currently under investigation by the Human Rights Commission) that perpetuated the negative stereotyping of Aboriginal men as dysfunctional bad fathers and bad role models. A stereotype that our men have too long had to contend with.

    This production is the perfect antidote. Which Way Home depicts an Aboriginal man who is loving, caring, funny and ultimately a very good father. This is a universal human story that transcends race, time and place. Most everyone can relate to having a father or a child.

    I’d like to acknowledge the extraordinary creative team: Katie Beckett (writer and actor), Jane Bodie (dramaturg), Emily Barrie (set and costume), Mark Coles Smith (sound designer), Nik Pajanti (lighting), Kellie Jayne Chambers (production manager/stage manager) and my amazing team at ILBIJERRI. Every production is a team effort and each member’s work plays an invaluable part in bringing our stories to the stage.

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