LUCKY

Set almost entirely at sea, Lucky follows two brothers who are seeking both asylum and their long-lost brother. With dreams of a better life, they must journey across treacherous waters on a raft with a human trafficker. I spoke with director Sama Ky Balson who first discovered the play while working in New York. “The script makes the audience ask questions rather than us telling them,” she explains. Balson comes from a strong physical theatre background and has adapted the show to be more movement based. The play also sees her teamed up with a multicultural and entirely male cast with Indigenous, Vietnamese and Spanish backgrounds. “It’s been entertaining working will an all-male cast,” she laughs. “They have subtle and delicate moments with strong adrenalin. They are owning the work.” With programmes such as Go Back To Where You Came From and the recent High Court rejection of ‘the Malaysian solution fresh in our minds, the timing for this story couldn’t be more relevant. “The politics can’t not influence you. This play is visual, powerful and physical, but in the end it’s not a political story.”

Oct 6-22, New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown, $10-30, 95193403, newtheatre.org.au