The Sum of Us
Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company
See an exciting revisioning of the much-loved story from the Off-Broadway hit and award-winning film The Sum of Us with an all First Nations cast.
How’s a guy supposed to find Mr. Right when his father's always up in his business? That’s the premise of this warm comedy that revolves around the comfortable relationship between widower Harry and his son Jeff. A beautiful tale of a strong family bond, ageing, queerness and the dance we all do when searching for love, this is Yirra Yaakin’s first queer work. Performed by an Australian First Nations cast, it's a story that no culture is exempt from. Balancing humour and pathos, The Sum of Us remains as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.
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Written byDavid StevensDirectorEva Grace MullaleySet and Costume DesignerBryan WoltjenLighting DesignerPeter Young
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Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company
Yirra Yaakin [Yir-raarh Yaarh-kin] means ‘stand tall’ in Noongar. Based in the heart of the Noongar Nation – a distinct Aboriginal cultural group from the south-west of Western Australia – Yirra Yaakin is Australia’s biggest Aboriginal-led theatre company.
Established in 1993, the Year of Indigenous People, as Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre, the company started off with one successful funding application, three staff members and the desire to provide the Aboriginal community with an artistic outlet for positive self-determination. Since then, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company has evolved into a respected cultural leader and artistic hub for Aboriginal people from all over WA, Australia, and around the world.
Yirra Yaakin produces award-winning, world-class theatre, sharing Aboriginal stories through exciting, entertaining, educational and authentic new works. The company has commissioned and premiered more than 50 new major festival presentations like Waltzing the Wilarra, One day in 67, Aliwah, Windmill Baby and Cruel Wild Woman. They have worked with and nurtured prestigious Aboriginal writers including David Milroy, Sally Morgan, Derek Nannup, Mitch Torres and Dallas Winmar, among many others. Yirra Yaakin stands tall and is proud to produce a body of work unrivalled in innovation, excellence and cultural significance.
Yirra Yaakin’s priority is to ensure Aboriginal theatre remains under Aboriginal control and provides opportunities for Aboriginal artists at all levels of theatre creation and production. The company’s education and community engagement programs support Indigenous trainees to be mentored, develop skills and work in the Australian theatre sector.
Yirra Yaakin presents Aboriginal stories to audiences across the globe. Their work has been recognised with awards for theatre, governance and their partnerships, including a prestigious Sidney Myer Award for their record of facilitating Indigenous artistic programs.
| Time & Location |
Thu 18 – Sun 28 FebWed - Fri 7.30pm | Sat 20 Feb 7.30pm | Sat 27 Feb 3pm & 7.30pm | Sun 6pm Subiaco Arts Centre, 180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco / Wandaraguttagurru Duration90mins |
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| Pricing |
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Eligible for package discount |
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| Accessibility |
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| Notes |
Coarse language, drug references, sexual references, drug paraphernalia, smoking, haze. |
| CONNECT EVENTS |
Post show Q&AWed 24 Feb |
| STAY COVID SAFE |
We are implementing WA Government's SafeWA contact tracing system. From December 5, it's a condition of entry to register your attendance at our venues. To make it easier, download the SafeWA app now via the WA Government website. |
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- Poleth Rivas