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.
