THE DEEP NORTH

COMING SOONSAPT STAGE

2 Nov

Written By wendy kimpton

DATES
Adelaide: Sept 28-Oct 1

Mount Gambier: Oct 18

Renmark: Oct 21

Port Pirie: Oct 25

Pt Augusta: Oct 26

Whyalla: Oct 29

VENUE
The Space Theatre, AFC

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Chaffey Theatre

Northern Festival Centre

Port Augusta Cultural Centre

Middleback Arts Centre

Our second season of The Deep North was co-presented with Adelaide Festival Centre’s InSPACE program and Country Arts SA in September and October 2022 starring Elsy Wameyo in the lead role of Jasmine.

Director’s notes:

The Deep North is the first African Australian musical. This was not what we set out to achieve, but this is what happened. Drawing from the incredible depth of talent in the African Australian community, what started as an historical drama about the the creation of Liberia, became a celebration of the African diaspora. We found it was impossible to celebrate without poetry, dance, music and song. As creative artists, I believe we channel and rearrange the beauty of the world that is already there. Consequently as a writer I drew upon the cast’s rich personal stories into a coming of age tale about identity and being true to your people and yourself. The two years I spent working in Uganda and Ghanaas a theatre and television writer, academic and drama teacher exposed me to diverse communities who actively, proudly and profitably performed and broadcast their stories to an enthusiastic audience in Africa and across the world. Returning to Adelaide I was thrilled to see a nascent community of young African Australians creating powerful art and music, largely under the radar of mainstream media and arts organisations. Collaborating with inspiring artists and community leaders like Stephen Tongun, James Bannah Jr, DyspOra, Pontsho Nthupi and Elsy Wameyo has allowed South Australian Playwrights Theatre to bring this cultural conversation to The Adelaide Festival Centre. Let’s keep talking and singing and dancing and celebrating…

Matt Hawkins, Artistic Director, South Australian Playwrights Theatre

CAST & CREATIVES

Lyricist and Performer – Jasmine Elsy Wameyo

Composer and Performer – Musician James Bannah Jr

Performer - Uncle Ebby Stephen Tongun

Performer - Ms Mendoza Jennifer Trijo

Performer - Ben Tumelo Nthupi

Performer - AJ Prosper Hakizamana

Performer – Ananse (Jasmine Understudy) Vivana Luzochimana

Writer / Director / Videographer/Performer – Mr Clay Matt Hawkins

Producer Lucy Combe

Technical and Stage Manager Taia Doyle

Lighting Designer Mark Oakley

AV Designer/Animator Alistair Schmidt

Visual Artist (AV) Kate O’Reilly

Graphic Designer (We are Toto) Wendy Kimpton

Choreographer Nina Richards

Costume Designer Oliver Lacoon Williamson

The original production of The Deep North took place at the Lab, Light (63 Light Square) for the 2021 Adelaide Fringe Festival from March 10 - 21.

THE FIRST AFRICAN AUSTRALIAN MUSICAL.

The Deep North tells the story of Jasmine Mutesa who has to choose between a scholarship at one of Adelaide’s most prestigious schools and keeping her family from falling apart in Port Augusta. It is an empowering story about finding your voice and the meaning of home.

The Deep North grew from workshops within the African Australian music and arts community. It developed in response to a desire to see more African faces on stage. The narrative is in part based on the personal stories of the performers Pontsho Nthupi, Stephen Tongun, Ben Tamba, Tumelo Nthupi and Gabriel Akon (DyspOra). This project sits within the Black Lives Matter movement as an alternative monument to those African artists and leaders who have been forgotten by history.