Riverside Theatres Presents Stunning Indonesian-Australian Production THE AGE OF BONES

The stunning Indonesian-Australian co-production by award-winning playwright Sandra Thibodeaux, The Age of Bones (Jaman Belulang), will be performed at Riverside Theatres from 22nd to 25th March. A biting satire with family appeal, The Age of Bones will spark conversation on a controversial chapter in recent Australian history.

Combining traditional Indonesian shadow puppetry with music and digital projection, the show is inspired by the real-life stories of approximately 60 underage Indonesian boys who were jailed in Australia for working on refugee boats.

Set deep beneath the sea, The Age of Bones follows the fantastical story of Ikan as he departs from his small fishing village, to an undersea courthouse, and to his eventual imprisonment in Australia.

"I wanted to look at this serious subject in a way that was a bit more magical, a bit more fun," said Thibodeaux. "To avoid the heaviness of realistic jail and court scenes, I took all the Australian scenes literally 'down under', beneath the ocean. The lawyer became a White Pointer; the judge an octopus."

"I came across these stories when my own son was about 15, and so a chord was struck. There was widespread concern in Australia at the time about the treatment of Australian live cattle in Indonesia. This was all over the news, while the story about the Indonesian boys was not. It seemed that an Australian steer was of greater value than an Indonesian boy in public discourse."

From February 22nd, this timely and darkly funny production will embark on a four-state tour across Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital and Northern Territories.

When: 7.30pm on 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th Mar; 11am on 23rd Mar (plus Q&A); and 2.15pm on 25th March
Tickets: Adult $42, Conc $37, 30 & Under $28. From the Box Office (02) 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au. Transaction fees: phone $4.60, web $3.60 and counter $2.60.
Discounts available for Riverside Theatres' Members.
Venue: Riverside Theatres - Corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Suitable for: Ages 12+

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