Home Countryis an Urban Theatre Projects production taking place in a multi-level car park. What is the story about?

Home Country is made up of three stories, written by three writers: Andrea James, Peter Polites and Gaele Sobott. Over the course of the night, audiences meet Aboriginal Elder Uncle Cheeky, who has lost his way. Uncle is visited by the Blacktown Angel who both reminds him of his past and helps him reconnect with his home country. Sitting alongside this story is a work written by Peter Polites, which explores the theme of home through the relationship between a son and his mother. The third work is a love story between Ali and Zaphora, who search for common ground.

How does the play interact with this unique setting?

In many ways, when making work site specifically, the site dictates the artistic choices. You let the architecture lead, listen to the external environment and the acoustics of the internal space. We’re using lots of different parts of the car park – it is the set design for the entire show.

There’ll also be a communal feast for the audience – how does that work?

Between the first and second part of the show, audiences will share in a feast on the rooftop. On the menu we have Greek, Afghan and Ethiopian food. It’s all delicious.

How do different people from different walks of life come to define home in Western Sydney?

Every person you meet, no matter where they’re from, has a different story and a different understanding of home. The work of Urban Theatre Projects is to uncover just some of those stories. Our home is in Bankstown, and Western Sydney is our backyard, so as a theatre company, we’re in the fortunate position of being able to tap into the diversity of stories, experiences and perspectives that Western Sydney offers.

Are there any other dream locations you’d like to host a play?

An airport.

Urban Theatre’s Home Country runs until Sunday January 22, atColo Lane Car Park, Blacktown, aspart of Sydney Festival 2017.

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