Aliwa!

Aliwa
Author Dallas Winmar
Cover artist Kate Florance
Country Australia
Language English
Genre Play (theatre)
Publisher Currency Press
Publication date
2002
Media type Print (Paperback)
ISBN 978-0-86819-688-6

Aliwa! is a play by the Australian Indigenous playwright Dallas Winmar, and published by Currency Press in 2002.[1]

Plot

Based on a true story of a mother who tries to keep her three daughters from being taken away by officials after the death of her husband.[2][3] It was later presented by Company B, was directed by Neil Armfield, starred Ningali Lawford, Kylie Belling and Deborah Mailman and was introduced by one of the sisters the play is based on, Aunty Dot Collard.[4][5]

First Production

Aliwah! was first produced by Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre at the Subiaco Theatre, Perth, on 26 July 2000, with the following cast:

Mum / Alice, Dot, Reserve Boy: Rachael Maza

Judith, School Teacher: Irma Woods

Ethel, Native Welfare Officer: Kylie Farmer

Director, Lynette Narkle

Designer, Tish Oldham

Sound and original music, David Milroy

Lighting Designer, Mark Howett

Awards

Aliwa! won the 2002 Kate Challis RAKA Award[6] and was shortlisted for the 2002 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards and the 2003 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards - Louis Esson Prize for Drama.

References

  1. Winmar, Dallas (2002). Aliwa!. Sydney: Currency Press. ISBN 9780868196886.
  2. Banks, Ron (28 July 2000), "Tale Of Survival", The West Australian
  3. Giffiths, Gareth (28 July 2000), "Escape from degradation", The Australian
  4. Bodey, Michael (17 August 2001), "Mixed memory", Daily Telegraph
  5. Hallett, Bryce (17 August 2001), "Taking In The Greater Scene - From Water Tower And Stage", Sydney Morning Herald
  6. "Winners List". The Kate Challis RAKA Award. University of Melbourne. Retrieved 2012-12-14.