Amphibian production telling tale of refugees’ plight at BREC

Bunbury audiences will be treated to an epic drama by the Windmill Theatre when Amphibian takes to the stage this month.

Created by Windmill’s associate director Sasha Zahra and South Australian playwright Duncan Graham, Amphibian is a portrait of the refugee experience and about displacement, loss and adapting to different worlds.

It follows students Chloe and Hassan who are sent out of class after they’re were accused of stealing money while feeding the class axolotl.

As they work together to find the true culprit, Chloe hears the incredible story of a boy who has travelled alone, across land and sea, for a chance at a new life.

The play was developed through interviews with young people and an intensive consultation with photographer Muzafar Ali and visual artist Elyas Akavu to help create an authentic story.

Director Sasha Zahra said the starting point for Amphibian was interviewing young people about what was important to them.

“The responses overwhelmingly focused on ideas of family,” she said.

“When we were creating the show, stories about refugees and unaccompanied minors were dominating the news cycle. It’s a story that was and, unfortunately, still is, an urgent and important one to be sharing with audiences.”

Actors Julia Vosnakis and Rami Saaid will make their debuts with Windmill on the tour, which will visit Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on July 29 and 30.

Amphibian will be accompanied by the digital experience, Across Land and See: Muzafar’s True Story.