Stolen (1998)

Production still for "Stolen" (1998). L-R: Tammy Anderson as Anne, Stan Yarramunua as Sandy, Pauline Whyman as Shirley, Tony Briggs as Jimmy, Kylie Belling as Ruby. Photographer: Unknown

Stolen (1998)

By Jane Harrison

21 October 1998 – 14 November 1998 Beckett Theatre

Playbox Theatre Company, Ilbijerri Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Coop, Melbourne International Festival Of The Arts,

New Writing Theatre World Premiere Co-Production

'What do you do when you meet your mother for the first time in 26 years? Shake her hand? Give her a hug? Do I show her me footy photos and my school reports? ...Will she feel like my mother? ...I don't even know what having a mother feels like.'

In this remarkable play by local writer Jane Harrison, the lives of five young people are revealed, exposing the heart of one of the most complex and controversial issues in our country today. Taken from their mothers and removed from their families, five Aboriginal children struggle to survive in a society intent on destroying their culture and crushing their identity.

Co-produced with Victoria's indigenous theatre group Ilbijerri, and directed by Wesley Enoch (Seven Stages of Grieving), Stolen is an extraordinary testament to the endurance of Aboriginal culture and the strength of the Aboriginal family. At this time in our nation's history, their stories are a poignant and powerful reminder of our need for family, history and heritage.

Production still for "Stolen" (1998). L-R: Tony Briggs as Jimmy, Pauline Whyman as Shirley, Kylie Belling as Ruby. Photographer: Unknown
Production still for "Stolen" (1998). L-R: Stan Yarramunua as Sandy, Tammy Anderson as Anne, Pauline Whyman as Shirley, Kylie Belling as Ruby, Tony Briggs as Jimmy. Photographer: Unknown
Production still for "Stolen" (1998). Photographer: Unknown
Production still for "Stolen" (1998). L-R: Pauline Whyman as Shirley, Tony Briggs as Jimmy. Photographer: Unknown
Production still for "Stolen" (1998). Stan Yarramunua as Sandy. Photographer: Unknown
Production still for "Stolen" (1998). L-R: Tammy Anderson as Anne, Tony Briggs as Jimmy, Kylie Belling as Ruby. Photographer: Unknown
Production still for "Stolen" (1998). Tony Briggs as Jimmy. Photographer: Unknown
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Production still for "Stolen" (1998). L-R: Tony Briggs as Jimmy, Pauline Whyman as Shirley, Kylie Belling as Ruby. Photographer: Unknown

Production still for "Stolen" (1998). L-R: Stan Yarramunua as Sandy, Tammy Anderson as Anne, Pauline Whyman as Shirley, Kylie Belling as Ruby, Tony Briggs as Jimmy. Photographer: Unknown

Production still for "Stolen" (1998). Photographer: Unknown

Production still for "Stolen" (1998). L-R: Pauline Whyman as Shirley, Tony Briggs as Jimmy. Photographer: Unknown

Production still for "Stolen" (1998). Stan Yarramunua as Sandy. Photographer: Unknown

Production still for "Stolen" (1998). L-R: Tammy Anderson as Anne, Tony Briggs as Jimmy, Kylie Belling as Ruby. Photographer: Unknown

Production still for "Stolen" (1998). Tony Briggs as Jimmy. Photographer: Unknown

Creatives

Richard Roberts

Richard Roberts

Designer

David Chesworth

David Chesworth

Composer

Wesley Enoch

Wesley Enoch

Director

Glenn Shea

Assistant Director

Matt Scott

Matt Scott

Lighting Designer

Jane Harrison

Jane Harrison

Playwright

Tanya Bennett

Stage Manager

Brad Leffler

Assistant to the Designer