White China by Therese Collie 2023
January 1974 and South-East Queensland is flooding…
As the Brisbane River breaks its banks, Daisy, a devout do-gooder sets out in a dinghy to find her mother Lily, who has disappeared from her nursing home. Jaz, a defiant hippie, and Daisy’s daughter, insists on accompanying her much to Daisy’s chagrin.
Far from lost, Lily has rediscovered her half sister Joy, who is desperate to uncover the resting place of their mother, Mary Wong. It is approaching Bi San, Ancestors’ Day, when Chinese traditionally worship the dead, but without knowing where her grave is, Joy is fearful that she will be cursed for shirking her duty. So, they begin their search by unpacking family lore and retracing historical steps.
Spanning the reaches of the Brisbane River, White China is an epic adventure that follows three generations of women as they rewrite their relationships in the wake of unacknowledged truths about their family history.
REVIEWS
“A moving portrait of mothers, sisters and daughters.” – Elise Lawrence, Limelight Magazine
“White China is a beautiful tale.,. and while its story of the denial of a family’s hidden heritage is heartbreaking, the intergenerational understanding of its conclusion, as culture and history are reclaimed from fear of repeating mistakes, is quite moving…” – Meredith Walker, Blue Curtains Brisbane
“…this production will take audiences down a river of family history and relationships, allowing them to leave the theatre pondering the effects of generational trauma…” – Annabel Gilbert, Theatre Haus
MORE INFORMATION
SEASON DATES
Wed 7 Jun – 17 Jun 2023
PREVIEW DATES
Wed 7 Jun – 8 Jun
OPENING NIGHT
Fri 9 Jun
VENUE
Underground Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse
DURATION
90 minutes, no interval
AGES
Suitable for 15+
PLAYWRIGHT
Therese Collie
DIRECTOR/DRAMATURG
Ian Lawson
COSTUME DESIGNER
Frances Foo
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Geoff Squires
SOUND DESIGNER
Guy Webster
VIDEO DESIGNER
Nevin Howell
CO-COMPOSERS
Guy Webster
Anna Kho
PRE-PRODUCTION MANAGER
Madeline Römcke
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Tammy Weller
STAGE MANAGER
Bridget O'Brien
GUZHENG INSTRUMENTALIST
Yuren (Cara) Shen
CAST
Tegan Braithwaite
Deborah Faye Lee
Elise Greig
Emily Liu
Tracey Tainsh (aka Isheeni)