Simple, pure, crystalline, charming and clear, MATRIARCH sets the bar high for the Sydney Fringe Festival.
MATRIARCH is story telling at its most compelling with actor writer Sandy Greenwood sharing the story of the matriarchal line of her family from her great grandmother to herself.
MATRIARCH begins with Greenwood’s depiction of a child, wide eyed and wonder awed by the wildlife of the bush and the creek that runs through her idyllic wonderland. It’s a world of willy wagtails, abundant fish and bush tucker and clean water, an enchanting environment, a safe place, a peaceful place, an Eden.
The serpent usurper of this paradise comes in the form of white government sanctioned assimilation bringing dispossession, displacement, dislocation, dispersion, despair.
“For their own good”, families were ripped apart, separated, a generation stolen. A perverted paternalism from an insensitive colonialism.
MATRIARCH examines the dormant inter-generational trauma visited on her mob as she plays her great grandmother, her grandmother, her mother and finally herself. It’s a seamless narrative, not at all episodic, that threads through this life and family affirming story
Fermented in anger, decanted in hope, this brew of broad history and personal story is presented with poise, pride and palpable vibrancy and vivacity. As a performer, Sandy Greenwood is spell binding in lithe movement and lyrical vocal characterisation.
Set designer Sean Ryan beautifully evokes the bush-land setting with fauna, wood and rock, orchestrated with birdsong. Ryan also provides live accompaniment on didgeridoo.
Directed by Jasmin Sheppard, MATRIARCH is the winner of this year’s Green Room Award, a totally deserving honour for this inspiring and coruscating story telling experience.
As a nation we are the poorer for policies implemented against our First Nation people. As a nation we are the richer for the repair offered by Sandy Greenwood’s statement from the heart.
Jinda Productions presents
Matriarch
$27 Adults / $22 Concession
Tuesday – Saturday 6pm 3–7 September 2019