ABOUT
Comprising of three acts, Three Magpies Perched in a Tree, Masterpiece and Some Secrets Should be Kept Secret, An Indigenous Trilogy is a series of original plays written/directed by acclaimed playwright, Wathaurong/Ngarrindjeri man Glenn Shea.
The plays explore issues facing young Indigenous people, family and systemic racism whilst poetically intertwining First Nation Creation Stories, Dreamtime creatures and contemporary dance. Glenn’s personal experience working with children within the criminal justice system and his lived experience as a Stolen Generation child have informed this powerful story.
An Indigenous Trilogy will be performed at La Mama Theatre's Courthouse from 8 - 27 November 2022.
ACT I: THREE MAGPIES PERCHED IN A TREE
An Aboriginal man from the stolen generation is working in his Aboriginal community as a front-line juvenile justice worker. He comes into contact with many Aboriginal adolescent young people who come into contact with the criminal justice system. This story is about how the issues impact not only the young person but their friends, their family, their community, the society they live in and ultimately the Aboriginal worker who is trying to support them.
ACT II:
MASTERPIECE
Little does he know, Peter’s life is just about to take a different direction when Hope steps off the train.
An Aboriginal worker from the stolen generation now finds himself living as a recluse in the middle of the desert. The issues from his work as a juvenile justice worker has impacted his life to the point where he has lost everything. He is battling his demons and believes he is of no value and wants to die alone drinking and trying to paint his Masterpiece.
ACT III: SOME SECRETS SHOULD BE KEPT SECRET
How do you share a story that you know is true when no one believes you because of the lies that you have told?
Finally Peter, the Aboriginal worker from the stolen generation, receives news that his adoptive mother has passed away and he now has to return to the home he grew up in… How do you share a story that you know is true when no one believes you because of the lies that you have told? Will Peter find peace by sharing the secrets?
‘Some Secrets Should Be Kept Secret’ by Glenn Shea was selected for the 3rd Yellamundie National First Peoples Playwriting Festival 2017 produced by Moogahlin Performing Arts at Carriageworks.
