What’s On: City of Gold

City of Gold

June 29 – July 20, 2019

Bille Brown Theatre

A Griffin Theatre Company co-production

All Breythe ever wanted was to be an actor, but this isn’t how he imagined his first big television gig – as a young Aboriginal man, being the face of a disastrous misfire of an advertisement that will get him roasted by his mob. When a messenger bird suddenly brings Breythe tragic tidings from his family, it spurs him on a journey of grief and duty. Returning home to Kalgoorlie, he is thrust headlong into family conflict and the reality of what it means to be an Indigenous youth in today’s Australia.

A Queensland Theatre and Griffin Theatre Company co-production, supported by Playwriting Australia as part of its Muru Salon and National Script Workshop programs, City of Gold is written by and stars Meyne Wyatt. Partially inspired by his own experiences, Wyatt said the story had to be told.

“Over the past few years things have happened, there has been something in the air, which all came together to make me actually write this,” he said.

“My dad passed away in 2015 and 18 months later I found myself really disillusioned with the world, the industry and myself. The roles I was auditioning for and getting, reflected the fact I had lost my passion. At the same time in my hometown of Kalgoorlie, a young 14-year-old Aboriginal boy was killed by a hit-and-run driver, who ended up serving just 15 months. And down south, the Adam Goodes story was playing out on and off the footy field. This series of events prompted me to sit down and write City of Gold.”

Meyne said the story has the potential to be divisive.  “There’s absolutely controversial lines, acts and characters in City of Gold. There’s also lots of humour. The story dives into dark and deep territory, with the humour a great release valve. I want audiences to find their own spark from this story; and what they find important, is what’s important.”

For ticketing and further information, visit the Queensland Theatre website. The world premiere season of City of Gold will continue after Brisbane at Griffin Theatre Company in Sydney from July 26.