Red Stitch & Critical Stages productions
Director Bridget Balodis
Assistant Director Olivia Monticciolo
Dramaturg Gary Abrahams
Designer Romanie Harper
Lighting Designer Amelia Lever-Davidson
Composer & Sound Designer Ian Moorhead
Cast Caroline Lee, Olga Makeeva, Joe Petruzzi, Jordan Fraser-Trumble, Devon Lang Wilton, Edward Orton
Jurassica is a story about family, growing old and spending your life searching for home. This is a wonderfully original multi-generational migrant story told with humour and pathos in English and Italian. This critically acclaimed production was the winner of the 2015 Green Room Award for Best New Australian Writing.
Ralph and Sara migrated from Tuscany in the 1950s to their concrete-front-yard house in suburban Moorabbin. Their son, Ichlis, never really forgave them for his misunderstood name, and grandson Luca is struggling to talk to his father or grandfather. Until one night Ralph is rushed to hospital and, through an unlikely connection with Kaja, an interpreter who herself fled wartorn Belgrade, Luca learns to reconnect.
Dan Giovannoni’s magical new play, Jurassica, weaves the past and present together, exploring what it is to migrate, to be displaced and to spend the rest of your life searching for home. Most of all, this is a play about the importance of family and about mending fences before you grow too old.
Available to Tour
2018
Artform
Theatre, Drama
Audience
Suitable for audiences 14 and over
Duration
120 minutes
Minimum Stage
6m wide x 4m depth x 5m height
Technical Specifications
2018 Tour Dates
23 August Frankston Arts Centre
25 August The Clocktower Centre
29 August-1 September Geelong Performing Arts Centre
5 September Wyndham Cultural Centre
7-8 September Whitehorse Centre
14 September Kingston Arts Centre
17 September Eternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst Theatre
19-22 September Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre
26 September Griffith Regional Theatre
Selling Points
- Resonates strongly with GP audience, subscribers and single ticket holders
- Warm multi-generational family story appeals to broad age demographic, older theatre-going audiences as well as young adults
- Particular interestfor communities with strong migrant backgrounds, particularly Italian. Also appeals to audiences from a diverse range of backgrounds with a connection to the migrant experience.
- Yr 11 & 12 secondary students and Tertiary students – strong interest from students 15+ in original season. Education Kit will be developed to accompany the production.
What people are saying
If you have quite a close affiliation with the Italian culture, you are Italian, or even if you’re not, this show is an absolute must-see. It will leave you feeling warm inside and reflect on what truly matters in life. Theatre Review
Jurassica has been patiently crafted, like Nonna’s perfect slow-cooked pork. The Age
Impressive cast in this family saga. Theatre Press
Resources
Jurassica reflects on themes of love, loss, identity and migration. Since 1788 Australia has seen millions of settlers move from their countries to begin a new life on these shores. The reason for their migration is always different, from fleeing war, to building a better life financially. Below are a collection of resources that tap into some of the themes of Jurassica, in particular, migration.
Education
Jurassica Education Kit
A Q&A with the performers is available to school groups attending the production.
Videos
Playwright Dan Giovannoni Talks About Jurassica – Frankston Arts Centre
Important Links
Waves of Migration at the Australian National Maritime Museum
Migration History Museum photos of Migration
National Archives of Australia Migration list
Australian Institute of International Affairs Bilateral Relationships
Museo Italiano
As part of the Jurassica tour, Critical Stages has curated a touring exhibition titled Moving Stories, with stories and images of migration from regions local to the tour.
