A Nest of Skunks
Image: Amanda & Brendan
Imagine being forced to flee your home and move to a new country. Now imagine this new country doesn’t accept you, and dehumanises you and your family. Nest of Skunks explores the story of a family of asylum seekers on the run in their new country.
Written by James Balian and Roger Vickery, this play hits right at home for both men. Balian and his family fled Iraq in 1969 to get away from all the tension, and Vickery lived down the road from Bonegilla Migrant Camp when he was a child and went to school with refugee children.
The play is based on a 1000-word short story written by Vickery; he decided to turn it into a theatre production and asked Balian to be his co-writer.
“I read it and loved it. He wanted to turn it into a play and started the process. I wrote a 40-page draft then we expanded it into the full-length play. I think it’s on it’s twelfth draft now,” Balian explained.
Both writers felt it was important that the play is unbiased, and made sure the writing doesn’t manipulate the audience into thinking a certain viewpoint; they want their audience to make their own conclusions about their work.
“From the story viewpoint I like the fact we didn’t get into an emotional cliché, because the danger is to make the people feel a bit like you must have this emotion to it,” said Balian.
“We just tell a story, it’s a thriller about a family who are on the most dangerous night of their lives. The audience will find their level of connection with it.” (AMal)
Aug 3–13, 8pm Wed-Sat, 5pm Sun. The Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville. $22-$32. Tickets & info: www.thedepottheatre.com
BY ATHINA MALLIS
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