The Neighbourhood

La Boite Theatre Company’s 2020 season kicks off in fine fashion when inspirational production, The Neighbourhood premieres at the Roundhouse Theatre from February 8-29.

An uplifting, unflinching and deeply personal work, The Neighbourhood features seven local storytellers from across different generations who each have a fascinating tale to tell about their experiences as a migrant or refugee.

Each artist uses a range of styles and artforms (ranging from acting and singing to dance and poetry) to transport audiences across countries, borders and oceans in search of a home. Their tales also investigate the very notion of creating, fostering and discovering community.

The storytellers include a Jamaican and Australian First Nations multidisciplinary artist, an Indian-born LGBTIQ+ activist, and an award-winning poet who left Uganda at eight years of age. There’s also a couple of Iranian refugees, a Syrian actor, and multi-instrumentalist Dr Matt Hsu, who draws on his diverse global upbringing to explore the grey areas between cultures.

Co-creator Ari Palani said the artists involved in the production represented the vibrancy of perspectives in Australia’s diverse narrative.

“Our artists come from every stage of the migration and resettlement journey – from escape through to the birth of new generations within Australia – and they are not defined by their status or the words used to describe them,” he said.

A companion piece to 2017’s critically-acclaimed production of The Village, The Neighbourhood is presented by La Boite and Multicultural Australia, in association with Empire Theatres.

Nice to know - The Neighbourhood will be enjoying a season at Toowoomba's majestic Empire Theatres from 27-28 March.

By Dominique Falk

La Boite is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com