Next week, Byron Bay High School’s Year 11 drama cohort will present Debra Oswald’s Stories in the Dark – a play that will both confront and uplift audiences.
The story is set in an undisclosed war zone, where amid danger and violence, feisty teen, Anna and her unwanted guest, twelve-year-old Tomas, develop an unlikely friendship.
The two struggle to survive in a hostile environment when all they have is each other, their determination, and an unwavering hope that they will somehow find and reconnect with their families and be safe again.
The themes presented in Stories in the Dark will resonate with current world events. With a distinctly Eastern European feel, the conflict happening in the story is a stark reminder of the experience of civilians surviving the war in Ukraine. The play showcases the power of storytelling to provide hope, escape, and comfort during a time of loss and survival.
CAPAL Head Teacher and Co-director, Ms Simone Museth, says immersing ourselves in this ‘imagined’ war zone demands that the actors portray the fear, despair, grief, exhaustion, hunger, thirst, and anxiety of the characters with integrity and control. ‘That’s no mean feat for a bunch of 16 and 17 year olds, who have never personally seen war.’
Stories in the Dark is Byron Bay High School’s sixth Year 11 theatre production in seven years. Public performances will be held Tuesday 20 June, Thursday 22 June and Friday 23 June in the PAC at Byron Bay High School from 7pm. Tickets are on sale now – community members are welcome to attend.
Tickets: $15 adults, $10 student and $40 for family (two adults + two students) from events.humanitix.com/byron-bay-high-school-presents-debra-oswald-s-stories-in-the-dark
Please be advised, references to violence and loss in a war context are included in the play’s narrative, and therefore may not be suitable for sensitive younger.
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