GOTHIC Australian theatre will enthral audiences in Phoenix College\u2019s auditorium from this weekend.<\/p>\n
A cast of seven Ballarat National Theatre performers are staging Angela Betzien\u2019s play Children of the Black Skirt.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a story that has a lot of layers,\u201d said director Deanne Joosten. \u201cAll the ensemble play four or five characters at least, and there are a lot of stories through time which all are linked to being in an orphanage, and should be heard.<\/p>\n \u201cI have never directed in the Australian gothic genre before, so I was really keen to explore this play which has such capacity to be a really incredible ensemble piece with exciting and interesting visual components.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a really good play to showcase great acting. This cast are a very talented, synergetic group, and it\u2019s been an incredible journey and rehearsal period with them. As a director, it\u2019s been like carving out of the best piece of wood.\u201d<\/p>\n Children of the Black Skirt<\/em> includes stories of diverse children, including those from the Stolen Generations.<\/p>\n Cast member Zerene Jaadwa is a Wutjubaluk woman who brings a \u201cdepth and breadth\u201d to the storytelling with her own First Nations perspective.<\/p>\n