Production still for "The Shadow King". L to R: Jimi Bani, Natasha Wanganeen. R Photographer: Jeff Busby

The Shadow King (2013)

11 October 2013 – 27 October 2013 Merlyn Theatre

Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne Festival,

New Adaptation Theatre Co-Production

Epic and provocative, The Shadow King reworks Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy King Lear as a sprawling, blood-soaked tale of two Indigenous families in Australia’s north.

Weaving a parable that echoes our nation’s history, this ambitious new production is truly unmissable theatre of a scale and significance to match the land on which it’s made.

"OUR TEMPLES ARE BUILT IN THE GROUND. OUR CASTLES ARE IN THE DIRT. WE OURSELVES ARE WRITTEN IN THE STARS."

— Balang T.E. Lewis

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jada Alberts, Tom E Lewis (rear), Rarriwuy Hick (front), Natasha Wanganeen. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jada Alberts, Tom E. Lewis. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Kamahi Djordon King, Damion Hunter. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Kamahi Djordon King, Frances Djulibing. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jimi Bani, Natasha Wanganeen. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jada Alberts, Tom E Lewis (rear), Rarriwuy Hick (front), Natasha Wanganeen. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jada Alberts, Tom E. Lewis. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Kamahi Djordon King, Damion Hunter. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Kamahi Djordon King, Frances Djulibing. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jimi Bani, Natasha Wanganeen. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Cast

Adaptor, Actor

Actor

Actor

Actor

Actor

Actor

Actor

Actor

Creatives

William Shakespeare

Playwright

Paul Jackson

Set Designer, Lighting Designer

John Rodgers

Musical Director

Marion Potts

Dramaturg

Iain Grandage

Musical Advisor

Djakapurra Munyarryun

Musician

Michael Kantor

Set Designer, Director, Adaptor

Melodie Reynolds-Diarra

Associate Director

Sound Designer

Stage Manager

Set Designer

Voice Coach

Fight Director

Set Designer

Associate Producer

Filmmaker

Filmmaker

Filmmaker

Musician

Musician

Producer, Co-Producer

Arthur Jackson

Assistant Stage Manager

+ See all 22 Creatives

Acknowledgements

A Malthouse Theatre & Melbourne Festival production in association with Sydney Festival, Perth International Arts Festival, Adelaide Festival & Brisbane Festival. Malthouse Theatre's Indigenous Theatre Program is made possible with the generous support of the Tom Kantor Fund and the CAL Cultural Fund.