Mullumbimby High senior drama students have teamed up with a company of local artists, writers, designers and mentors to bring Oz: A Political Satire to vivid life on Friday 1 and Saturday 2, September at the Byron Theatre.
Part allegory and part social commentary, Oz transports us to the dystopian reality confronting young people, caught in the cycle of stupidity and violence that terrorises our world today.
‘With satire designed to delight and confront audiences, Oz invites us to listen to one another with feeling,’ said Marisa McEwan, Mullumbimby High School drama teacher.
‘It compels us to question authority and influence, challenging us to ask: “What is our responsibility to each other as human beings?” Along with Dorothy and her faithful companions, we discover that the most radical acts of defiance are often the smallest acts of kindness.’
Compiled and adapted by Rob Owens, from the original story, Oz is woven with excerpts from George Orwell’s 1984 and from articles and quotes from around the globe. Hundreds of websites, ranging from politicalstirrers.crikie.com.au, counterinfo.org and gwbush.com to the U.S. and Australian government websites, and humanitarian sites such as Amnesty International and unicef.org., provided the writer, director and performers with rich material.
‘We trust that Oz will inform and inspire audiences with its humour and eclectic approach to theatre,’ said Ms McEwan.
Performances
Friday, 1 September at 7.30pm
Saturday 2, September at 2pm and 7.30pm
To book tickets at the Byron Theatre website.
