Canberran playwright has poured his talent into new play: Ngadjung

Posted on 19 August, 2022

Could you imagine our city without water? It’s a scarily imaginable future that playwright Dylan Van Den Berg has brought to the Canberra stage in his latest creation, Ngadjung.

The play, which opened last night, tracks an unlikely pairing between Cass from the city and Flick from the country, who have not only lost their access to water but their connection to country (but we won’t spoil any more of the details for you).

“The themes throughout the play are really around what we stand to lose if the water dries up and the stakes are particularly high for First Nations people. It’s not just a resource—our stories are in the waterways and in the land. There’s a lot at stake if the world shrivels up,” Dylan said.

“It’s about, you know, the ways in which we should be listening to First Nations people in terms of managing the land and management practices.”

Commissioned by the Belconnen Arts Centre a couple of years ago, the hard work of the cast and crew has come to fruition and the messages throughout the play have created a beautiful eco-apocalyptic drama.

“We are at a precipice. You know, some people would say we’ve gone past that precipice, but we want to be hopeful. You know it’s up to everyone to make a difference to the environment. So, obviously, that message is there. I also want people to come and listen to a story between two women that anyone can relate to,” said co-star Lisa Maza.

Starring both Lisa and Kylah Day, there is nowhere to hide from the spotlight in this two-woman show and for a play about not having any water, Kylah is certainly jumping into the deep end as she made her theatrical debut.

“I’m incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to not only do this but to do an indigenous play with such incredible, meaning behind it,” Kylah said.

Starring two First Nation actors, based on Ngunnawal land and written and directed by a Palawa Aboriginal Australian, this is not an opportunity that comes around every day.

“It’s really exciting. The opportunities for that [First Nation produced and starred plays] aren’t as regular as they should be. So, it’s really wonderful that we’re able to bring in mob from all over to be a part of the process,” said Dylan.

Images by Andrew Sikorski