A new play set in Western Australia follows the journey of families born at different times in Australia’s history, united in their determination to create safe passage for their loved ones.

Water, set in the not-too-distant future, introduces audiences to a recently-fallen politician who is about to celebrate his birthday with his family at their island home – a retreat from the world that needs a bit of TLC. There’s no water in the taps, no birds in the sky and an unexpected guest has shown up for dinner – building tensions as politics move up the agenda and blame is cast on crimes against humanity.

Playwright Jane Bodie recently won the 2019 Lysicrates Prize for best new Australian writing, and is an internationally renowned writer whose plays have been performed from London to New York. Black Swan State Theatre Company’s performance also marks Clare Watson’s first commission as Artistic Director.

Watson discussed with Jane to look at what’s happening in Australia at the moment, what are the kind of issues of our time, and it was decided to look at both the asylum seeker crisis and the environmental crisis going on globally.

Bodie said she decided “to write a play that somehow looked at exploring both of these elements. And that’s why the play’s called Water, cause I think what both of those issues have in common is that potentially at some point, and there already is in some parts, a water crisis here in Australia, and also for most people seeking asylum, they have to travel over a body of water in order to find sort of a safe place.”

The cast includes Emily Rose Brennan, Glenda Linscott, Richard Maganga, Amy Mathews and Igor Sas, and is directed by Emily McLean.

Water runs at the State Theatre Centre’s Studio Underground from Thursday 9th – Sunday 26th May. Tickets and more information available from BSSTC.com.au