Malthouse Theatre Presents Two New Indigenous Plays for 2025
The Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne is presenting two new plays in early 2025: Game. Set. Match. by Megan Wilding and Black Light by Jada Alberts. The productions feature distinct creative teams and explore different themes related to Indigenous Australian experiences.
Game. Set. Match.
Production Details
- Written and performed by Megan Wilding, a Gamilaroi actor and writer.
- Runs from May 1 to May 23 at Malthouse Theatre.
- Directed by Jessica Arthur.
- This is Wilding's second play; her debut, A Little Piece of Ash (2019), addressed grief following her mother's death.
Play Synopsis
The play depicts a conversation between two characters: a middle-aged white man and a young Aboriginal woman. The discussion escalates to address topics including colonisation, sexual violence, and abuses of power, including child sexual abuse.
"It's a rom-com until it isn't." – Megan Wilding
Development History
- The script was first written in 2017 after Wilding received the Balnaves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Fellowship.
- The play later won the Griffin Award for new Australian playwriting.
- The script was revised following the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum.
Artist Statements
Wilding stated that she took on the acting role because she believed her identity as a "big Blak woman" and her reputation as a comedy actor would have prevented her from being cast otherwise.
She described the play as "a rom-com until it isn't" and noted that the underlying themes remained consistent through revisions. Wilding stated the play is based on her own experiences and is intended to address difficult topics directly.
Background
Wilding has been active in Australian theatre and television since 2010, with roles in productions by Shakespeare and Chekhov, as well as television series including Gold Diggers and Sunny Nights.
Black Light
Production Details
- Written and directed by Jada Alberts.
- Runs until March 7 at Malthouse Theatre.
- Features sisters Rachael Maza (Yidinji/Meriam/Dutch) and Lisa Maza in leading roles, marking their first joint stage appearance in 17 years.
Play Synopsis
The play centers on four Larrakia women across three generations—Bub, Mum, Aunty, and Nan—who are confined to a family home near Darwin during a natural disaster. The script is described as poetic and departing from traditional dramatic structures. Themes include family dynamics and the issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal women.
Cast
- Rachael Maza portrays Aunty.
- Lisa Maza portrays Mum.
- Trisha Morton-Thomas portrays Nan.
- Tahlee Fereday portrays Bub.
Sisterly Collaboration
The real-life sisterly relationship between Rachael and Lisa Maza is reported to facilitate their on-stage dynamic. Rachael Maza noted that working with her sister allowed them to focus on the work without interpersonal friction. The sisters have a shared history in music and live performance dating to the 1990s, having performed together in productions including Radiance, Stolen, and The Sapphires, as well as their co-written play Sisters of Gelam (which concluded in 2009).
"Working with my sister lets us focus on the work without the usual friction." – Rachael Maza
Rachael Maza's Transition
Black Light follows Rachael Maza's departure from Ilbijerri, an Indigenous theatre company, after 18 years as its artistic director. Maza stated that her current role as an actor provides an opportunity to focus on her craft, contrasting with the responsibilities of an artistic director.