Presented by La Mama Theatre with La Trobe Student Theatre & Hong Kong Shax Theatre Group as apart of Asia TOPA 2020
‘A sad tale’s best for winter…’
In a fit of wild and unfounded jealousy, Leontes, a civic leader of 1920s Hong Kong, is convinced his wife, Hermione, is carrying the child of his best friend, the Australian politician Polixenes. Once born, the child is exiled and seeks refuge in a rural community in modern day Australia. Things go well for the child until she falls for the son of the bigoted politician. Leaping from Hong Kong to Australia and from the 1920s to modern day, this version of The Winter’s Tale sheds light on the far-reaching impacts of colonialism in both countries.
“The Light Within the Night is an invigorating play with an impressive and talented cast. It offers an immersive exploration of the ways that Indonesian and Australian cultures can relate. Intellectually stimulating and just as entertaining, it delivers social commentary in a way that is easily digestible.”
– Rasheeda Wilson, In Review (2017 review of a La Trobe University Student Theatre & Mainteater Bandung collaboration, The Light Within the Night part of Asia TOPA 2017)
Directed by Rosalind Wong (HK) and Bob Pavlich (La Trobe University)
Assistant Director: Sharma Ujjwal
Produced by Kat Carrington
Project Liaison: Helen Mayers
Costumes/Support Crew: Vision Wong
Lighting Designer / Technical Supervisor: Jacob Shears
Stage Manager / Tech Operator: Jarman Oakley
Performers: Wang Karen Jiawei, Wat Tsz Yan Monica, Capiendo Wincel Sagana, Cole McKenna, De Guzman Kevin Lorenzo Erodias, Cheung Wing See, Sharma Rohit, Evangeline Oster, Paul Doogood, Lakshmi Ganapathy, Jayde Hopkins & William Foley
Image by Sharma Ujjwal
This production is a collaboration between student theatre groups from Melbourne’s La Trobe University and the University of Hong Kong. The Winter’s Tale has received support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the New Colombo Plan as well as support from the La Trobe University and the La Trobe Student Union.
