Children of the Black skirt
By Angela Betzien
Produced by Lost Child Ensemble in association with
The Curators’ Theatre
Image Naz Mulla
It’s time …to be SEEN and HEARD!
Performance rights for Children of the Black Skirt exclusively licensed by Yellow Creative Management, Level 1, 323 Darling St, Balmain, NSW, 2041.
The Black Skirt/Harold Horrocks - Lisa Hickey
New One, Tom, Lizzie - Malika Savory
Old One, Rosie, Lucy, Ruby - Shahnee Hunter
John, Iris - Mikeal Bobart
Maggie, Lizzie’s Mother - Vivien Whittle
Cast
Creatives, Company and Contributors
Director - Helen Strube
Set Designer - Bill Haycock
Costume Designer - Bill Haycock
Costume Realisers - Rosa Hirakata & Lisa Hickey
Movement Director - Anna Yen
Sound Designer - Peter Goodwin
Sound Editor (additional sound) - Dan Hallen
Sound/Lighting Operator - Dan Hallen
Lighting Designer - Nathaniel Knight
Vision Designer - Nathaniel Knight
Graphic Design - Shardé Anne Evans
Stage Manager - Dan Hallen
Production Management - Sheila Lorraine & David Lee Jay
Photographers - Naz Mulla & Christopher Sharma
Website - Gregg Goriss
Box Office & Ticketing - Gregg Goriss
Dramaturgy - Todd Barty & Helen Strube
Arts Education Notes - Todd Barty & Helen Strube
Creative Producers - Helen Strube, Jules Berry & Lisa Hickey
Marketing - Lauren Roche, Jules Berry, Lisa Hicke
Communications Company - Aruga
A special thank you to Katie McGuire, Lotus Place and the Forgotten Australians.
The Australian bush. A timeless world. Three children stumble upon a run-down orphanage. As they play ‘dress-ups’ with the tattered, disused clothing strewn before them, they are transformed, crossing the threshold into a spirit world of the abandoned orphanage. The children become residents of the institution. Under the heartless gaze of governess, Miss Emily Greenant, the changelings try to make sense of daily rituals but are haunted by the lingering voices from times past. To comfort each other, they tell stories and in the telling release the spirits of the orphanage’s trapped, forsaken children, one story at a time.
Evocative and poetic Children of the Black Skirt is a beautifully crafted theatre experience that has enthralled audiences across the country since it was first performed twenty years ago. Stylistically, Children of the Black Skirt is a gothic fairytale and in the classic tradition of Australian Gothic Theatre, it recounts the dislocation of the Australian psyche, its unresolved tensions with its landscape, its bush panic and the stories of its lost children - abandoned, forgotten, stolen.
Written by one of Australia’s leading playwrights, Angela Betzien (Hoods, The Dark Room, ABCs Total Control: Seasons 1 & 2), Children of the Black Skirt weaves real stories into a powerful theatrical world that is at once poignant and deeply engaging.
‘This is a complex, but beautifully-crafted production of much theatricality, whose artistry complements its core intent of shedding light on some of Australia’s darkest history.... [a] powerful political provocation.’ (Meredith
Walker, The Blurb 2023)
Hauntingly beautiful! (Dark Stories, 2023)
(Queensland Stage Critics, 2023)
‘Impressive, immersive, and emotionally engaging…I was captivated from start to finish… an unforgettable theatrical experience.’
(Audience Member, Preview Performance 2022)
‘Outstanding ensemble physical storytelling… If you have the opportunity a definite must see!’
(Audience Member, Preview Performance 2022)
The Blurb:
https://theblurb.com.au/wp/children-of-the-black-skirt-the-curators-theatre-review/
Theatre Travels:
https://www.theatretravels.org/post/review-children-of-the-black-skirt-at-the-christ-church-milton
Dark Stories:
https://www.darkstoriestheatre.com.au/hauntingly-beautiful-children-of-the-black-skirt/
Queensland Stage Critics:
https://queenslandstagecritics.com/#children-of-the-black-skirt
Blue Curtains:
https://bluecurtainsbris.wordpress.com/tag/the-curators/
Links to full reviews:
Media - Theatre Haus:
https://www.theatrehaus.com/2023/07/helen-strube-and-children-of-the-black-skirt/
Venue
Christ Church, 9 Chippendall Street, Milton
Duration
75 minutes incl. Q & A
Season:
Wed 12 July, Matinee 12.30 pm (Preview)
Wed 12 July, Evening 6.30 pm (Preview)
Thurs 13 July Evening 7.30 pm (Opening Night)*
Fri 14 July Matinee 12.30 pm
Fri 14 July Evening 7.30 pm
Sat 15 July, Matinee 12.30 pm
Sat 15 July Evening 7.30 pm
Sun 16 July Twilight 5.30 pm (Industry night - limited discounted tickets)
Wed 19 July, Matinee 12.30 pm
Wed 19 July, Evening 7.30 pm
Thurs 20 July, Matinee 12.30 pm
Thurs 20 July Evening 7.30 pm
Fri 21 July Matinee 12.30 pm
Fri 21 July Evening 7.30 pm
Sat 22 July, Matinee 12.30 pm
Sun 23 July Twilight 5.30 pm
*Opening Night tickets are $50 each & include food and drink.
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Adult $39.00
Concession $35.00
Students $25.00
Groups of 6 $35.00 per ticket
Donors Ticket $50.00
Opening Night Tickets $50.00 (includes food and beverage)
*Reduced Price Performance $10.00
* A select number of tickets are available for Unemployed, MEAA, Out of Work Artists
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Please find our school booking form below. Return to education@curators.com.au.
School Booking Form - click here to download form.
For further information please phone (07) 3063 9638 or contact our TCT box office team on boxoffice@curators.com.au.
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Themes & ideas: child migration, abandonment, abuse, poverty, institutionalisation, the stolen generation.
Suitable for 13+
Workshops:
Australian Gothic - Codes and Conventions in Practice
Student Workshop
This one hour workshop includes a fifteen minute Q & A with artists, focusing on tailored questions concerning the making of this production of Children of the Black Skirt. Students will explore, through practical exercises the codes and conventions of Australian Gothic Theatre and Magic Realism.
Workshop Dates and Times
Friday 14 July 1.30 pm - 2.30pm
Thursday 20 July 1.30 pm - 2.30pm
Friday 21 July 1.30 pm - 2.30pm.
Cost $10.00 per student or $35.00 incl. performance.
School groups have the opportunity to view a performance and then participate in this workshop.
Venue: Christ Church 9 Chippendall Street MiltonAustralian Gothic and Magic Realism: Building a Performance Text
Teacher Professional Development Workshop
This two hour workshop blends theory and practice to explore text, performance languages, scenography and artistic options when working with Australian Gothic and Magic Realism.
Children of the Black Skirt champions the healing power of story, recounting both our past and resonating with our present.
This workshop will focus on harnessing artistic practice to generate, with sensitivity and meaning a cultural conversation within our contemporary Australian context. Addresses Year 7 to Year 12 learning needs.
Date & Time: Saturday 15 July 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Cost: $135.00 includes performance and curriculum based workshop (limit 40 places)Teacher PD Workshop Booking Form
For education enquiries please contact us on (07) 3063 9638 or email education@curators.com.au
For booking enquiries please contact us on (07) 3063 9639 or email boxoffice@curators.com.au
Please find our school booking form below. Return to boxoffice@curators.com.au.
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TCT is committed to maximising your visit to our precinct. Please notify Box Office of your requirements and we will support your visit to The Curators’ Theatre.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Christ Church has wheelchair access and customised parking to ensure access to the venue. There is a drop-off zone directly outside the venue. With advance notice, our Front of House team can assist in entering the venue, prior to the doors opening for the general public.
Our seating is flexible and can be arranged to accomodate needs. We have ambulant toilets for patrons with walking frames and other mobility devices.
To arrange for wheelchair/mobility access and book a Carer’s ticket, please complete the information on TryBooking or contact TCT on (07) 3063 9639.
GUIDE, HEARING or ASSISTANCE ANIMALS
Please notify TCT via TryBooking or phone (07) 3063 9639 prior to visiting, so that we may best support you and your assistance animal.
BOX OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday: 9.30am-5.00pm
Saturday: 10.30 am-4.00pm
Sunday: Opens one hour prior to all performances
CONTACT US
For further information please phone (07) 3063 9639 contact TCT on info@curators.com.au
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The Curators’ Theatre produced this prodcution at Christ Church, 9 Chippendall Street Milton, 4064.
The precinct is situated next to Suncorp Stadium (just 3 kms from the CBD) and is easily accessed by public transport.
PARKING
By Car
Visitors to Christ Church can access free parking in Chippendall Street after 7pm (during the day there is a two hour limit). Please be aware when parking that set down spaces directly outside Christ Church are permitted parking only.
There is also parking in Castlemaine Street (next to Suncorp Stadium). This is metered parking however is unlimited parking Monday - Sunday after 4.00pm. Castlemaine Street is a short five minute walk to Christ Church.
By Coach
There is limited space for coach parking. Please contact TCT if requiring parking for a coach and we can arrange this in advance.
TRAIN
Roma Street Station connects with Milton Rail Station, a two minute or 700 metre walk to Christ Church. Routes servicing the stop at Milton Rail Station include Brisbane City, Caboolture, Ipswich, Nambour, Redcliffe, Rosewood and Springfield trains.
BUS
We recommend using the Translink’s Journey Planner to plan your journey to Christ Church.
https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/journey-planner
The Brisbane City Council has regular services frequenting Milton Rail Station. These include bus routes # 385, #412, #444 and #475.
For further information concerning bus and rail timetables, call Translink on 13 12 30 or visit Translink website https://translink.com.au/
Please keep up to date with COVID Safe travel updates https://translink.com.au/travel-with-us/covid-19