It's a queer, First Nations love story presented at Brisbane's La Boite Theatre, starring Pertame and Tiwi actor Joseph Althouse ('The Visitors') and Danny Howard ('Jacky'), who has Barrd, Yamatji, Noongar, Bunuba and Ngadju ties.
Teenage boys Ty and Neddy (Ty, River Mob and Neddy, Mountain Mob) fall in love. . . And they might just be perfect for each other – but it's the early 19th century, and they're on the brink of a world that is about to change forever.
We spoke to Danny Howard, who plays Neddy, ahead of the show's opening at La Boite Theatre in Brisbane.
For people who haven’t seen or heard of 'Whitefella Yella Tree' yet, how would you describe it in a sentence or two?
A queer First Nations play with two young men who find first love within each other while their world changes around them.
The show is set in the early 19th century, but it’s also deeply personal and timeless – what kind of themes do you think audiences will connect with the most?
This show has everything. You watch these characters grow, fall in love, make mistakes, fight for what they believe is right and more. In a time where the world they knew is changing.
Love, Country, and Blak queerness are central to this story – how do you feel the play balances those ideas with history?
This is a one-of-a-kind play. The play tackles these ideas of history like no other. I personally haven’t read anything like it.
What’s it like stepping into Neddy’s world – especially knowing their story sits right at the cusp of colonisation?
It’s definitely been challenging. As much as this is a play, it’s hitting topics that are a part of our history. It makes the challenge even more important.
What kind of conversations do you hope audiences are having on the way home after seeing the show?
Hope it's all positive conversations about the play and the play's ideas. I hope the play ignites conversations around the its ideas like colonisation, love and the time when the play is set. I'm hoping people challenge each other's ideas as well.
The play has been described as both heart-warming and heartbreaking – how do you navigate that balance of humour, tenderness, and tragedy in the production?
It’s human life. Most of us have had to navigate through the unknown, tragedy, and laughter, and these characters do the same thing.
What do you hope young queer audiences, especially Blak queer audiences, take away from seeing Ty and Neddy’s relationship on stage?
I hope the story and characters help them connect with themselves and enable a release of emotions that may be hard to release in our world.
La Boite is all about bold, contemporary theatre – how does 'Whitefella Yella Tree' fit into that spirit?
This is a one-of-a-kind type of play. Its topics hit you in the chest in a way like no other.
And just for fun – what’s one behind-the-scenes moment or rehearsal memory that’s stuck with you during this production?
It would be the company run. The first time we had outsiders have a look in. I had a conversation that will always stay with me and remind me of the importance of this play!
'Whitefella Yella Tree' plays La Boite Theatre (Brisbane) 23 October-8 November.
This story originally appeared on our sister site, scenestr.
