Regions

Sex, Drugs & Pork Rolls

A new collaborative writing commission from the heart of Western Sydney

Australia is extraordinary in its diversity of cultures, however so little of that – our communities, histories, experiences, stories – is reflected on our stages, in our companies or in our audiences.  And often where diversity is reflected, it is often characterised through a Western lens and narrative.

Sex, Drugs & Pork Rolls is an exciting foray into experimental playwriting that Performing Lines is pursuing with four inspirational talents from Western Sydney.  Drawing on their individual stories, the writers will reflect on a common incident that profoundly impacts on communities in Western Sydney.

The selected writers are:

  • Maryam Azam, a Pakistani-Australian Muslim writer from Kellyville
  • Winnie Dunn, a Tongan-Australian writer from Mt Druitt
  • Shirley Le, a Vietnamese-Australian writer from Yagoona
  • Stephen Pham, a Vietnamese-Australian writer from Cabramatta

These five writers have been collaborating through their association with Sweatshop Western Sydney Literacy Movement. Their experience ranges from emerging to established. The writing of these artists resonates with an astute sense of place and connection, delving into the shared experiences of so many who are traversing the tensions and challenges of mixed cultural mores and behaviours with empathy, humour and uncompromising clarity of truth and impact.

Credits

Writers
  • Maryam Azam
  • Winnie Dunn
  • Shirley Le
  • Stephen Pham

Supported by
Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad

Produced by Performing Lines

Developed in partnership with Playwriting Australia

Information for Presenters

5+5 is currently in stage one development, with stage two commencing in early 2019.

We will be seeking presentation partners for late 2019 or early 2020.

Project Partners & Acknowledgements

Project Supporters

Performing Lines would like to acknowledge the generous support provided to this project by:

  • Keir Foundation
  • Robyn Martin-Webber
  • Lisa Paulsen

This project has also been supported by Playwriting Australia through their Ignition Program, and assisted by the Australian Government through the Department of Communication and the Arts’ Catalyst—Australian Arts and Culture Fund.

In everything we do, we acknowledge that we live on Aboriginal land and constantly learn from the wisdom of First Peoples.

Where we are and the history that precedes us informs how we work and how we move forward.