What if the only way forward was to face the past?
This question sits quietly at the heart of Displace I Call Home; a poetic new work from Byron’s emerging theatre company. This original play is premiering in July at Byron Theatre.
Written and directed by Bianca Sirianni, the production marks the debut of Byron Theatre Company – a creative initiative dedicated to telling original stories made by, and for, this community.
At the centre of the story is Jacqui – a woman who has lived at a distance from others, and perhaps from herself. When illness interrupts her solitude, she’s visited by an elusive bird who draws her into a surreal journey through myth, and the moments that shaped her.
‘This play has been a long time coming,’ says Sirianni. ‘It grew out of questions I’ve carried for years – about grief, silence, ancestral trauma, and the complexity of belonging.’
‘It’s not a straight line; it unfolds like memory – tender, unpredictable, and layered.
‘Individually and culturally, we often avoid what needs to be faced until we’re confronted with something unavoidable, like the reality of a terminal illness. But what if we didn’t wait? What if we did this work now?’
Developed through conversation and collaboration with local artists, Displace I Call Home blends poetic text, physical theatre, and projection into an immersive experience.
The cast features Sally Davis as Jacqui, Noa Rotem as both the Lyrebird and the Doctor, and Tom Davies as Cliff and Harry. Movement is shaped by First Nations choreographer Waangenga Blanco, who worked with Rotem to bring depth and authenticity to the Lyrebird. Believed to be one of the world’s most ancient songbirds at 18 million years old, the Lyrebird listens, remembers, and revoices the world, mirroring the play’s theme of deeper listening to the stories we carry.
Through collaboration, each element of the production reflects a process rooted in experiential learning, mentorship, and original artistry. Projection design by Victor Holder, technical design by Jake Dix, and a soundscape recorded by SAE student Adam Livesay, featuring composition by harpist Robby Niel and cellist Tara Lee-Byrne.
Set elements were created with Shearwater Steiner School students, and the sculptural centrepiece — a large woven nest — is being handcrafted by community members using local vines.
As Byron Theatre Company builds a lasting home for locally-made performance, audiences are invited to experience this powerful debut and be part of what’s to come.
Performance will run from July 3 to 6. Auslan Interpreted Performance Saturday July 5 at 2pm.
Bookings: www.byrontheatre.com
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