The Bougainville Photoplay Project

Overview

The best theatre is always that which not only entertains, but which informs. It's easier said than done. You don't want to go ramming some political doctrine down the throats of your audience. You need to ease them in with humour, drama and suspense.

Version 1.0 is a Sydney based theatre company determined to do just that. With their latest production, The Bougainville Photoplay Project, academic, writer and performer Paul Dwyer follows in the footsteps of his father, Dr Allan Dwyer, a world renowned orthopaedic surgeon who traveled three times to Bougainville during the sixties to help crippled children. Paul Dwyer has composed a myriad performance to re-create his father's journey, including monologue, slides, super-8 footage and film installations as well as recounting his own time in Bougainville, revisiting the land and the people his father was so determined to help.

Perfectly placed at Upstairs Belvoir, this insightful performance will offer a new insight into the lives of the Papua New Guineans of two generations, those affected by the Bougainvillean resistance and those in the midst of post-war reconstruction. With film installations created by video artist Sean Bacon, this production will surely open your eyes to one of Australia's closest neighbours.