Whitefella Yella Tree — Griffin Theatre Company

This 19th-century First Nations love story from award-winning playwright Dylan Van Den Berg arrives for its inaugural season at Griffin Theatre Company.
Ben Hansen
August 09, 2022

Overview

Award-winning playwright Dylan Van Den Berg is bringing his new Griffin Theatre Company show Whitefella Yella Tree to Darlinghurst's SBW Stables Theatre for its world premiere from Friday, August 19 until Saturday, September 17.

Taking place in the early 19th century, Whitefella Yella Tree follows two First Nations teenagers, Ty and Neddy, who meet under a lemon tree as the country is beginning to be invaded by white settlers. A friendship blossoms, followed by the rush of young love as the boy's relationship turns romantic. Little do they know how their world and their communities are about to change forever.

Exploring themes of love, Country and Blak queerness, the play is anchored on two standout performances from Guy Simon (First Love is the Revolution, Wakefield) and Callan Purcell (Hamilton, Bran Nue Dae), who help bring to life Van Den Berg's story of coming of age in the time of colonisation.

"There's no one else in Australian theatre writing quite like Dylan Van Den Berg," Director and Artistic Director of Griffin Theatre Company Declan Greene said. "He seeks out the gaps in our cultural memory: the bits erased by wilful forgetting. His plays are feats of vivid imagination, but always bound to an unflinching emotional truth."

Previews for Whitefella Yella Tree will take place August 19–22 before the production officially opens on Wednesday, August 24.

Information

Tap and select Add to Home Screen to access Concrete Playground easily next time. x