Decade-long theatre work proves no two migration journeys are the same: ‘Ten Years To Home’

‘Ten Years To Home’ tells the true story of Rushikesh (Rushi) and Vasant Sheth, who migrated from Mumbai, India to Melbourne, Australia in 1959.

Semi-autobiographical in nature, the work draws on playwright Sonal Moore’s own migration experience, looking back on her growing up during the 1970s in a predominantly “White Australia” and its gradual dismantling.

Central to the narrative are the experiences and perspectives of three generations of women, exploring the intertwined lives of three generations of the Sheth family against the backdrop of significant social and cultural shifts.

Produced by Nautanki Theatre’s Drama~Sutra playwriting project, the work represents a pioneering attempt to create culturally relatable content for the Australian stage, with a focus on the South Asian diaspora.

Neel Banerjee, Artistic Director of Nautanki Theatre:

In 2015, when Nautanki Theatre set out to produce a play centered on the South Asian migration experience in Australia, they found very few such stories existed, “Ten Years To Home is the first South Asian play commissioned that presents and explores early South Asian migration firsthand. It also the first play where South Asian audiences can see South Asian actors on stage telling an authentic migrant story.

While grounded in a South Asian experience, the work speaks to broader migration narratives. “At the end of the day it is a migrant story. And in a migrant society, these stories are deeply relatable for all audiences.

Through their performances, the cast brings to life a shared South Asian history that transcends political and national divides. Their collaboration on an Australian stage becomes a powerful metaphor for how art can bridge difference.

As noted by ArtsHub:

The range of Indian accents on the stage – varying in region, dialect and thickness – encapsulates the universality of the playwright’s chosen themes, not just to the incredibly rich subtext that belongs to the Indian nationality, but also to the uniqueness of every migration story; no two are ever the same.

The production has received strong critical acclaim ArtsHub:

Moore’s writing should be commended and celebrated. Her balance of comedy and drama, particularly through her dialogue, is masterful…Moore makes space for diasporas everywhere and of every complexion, using theatre as a platform for the passing down of knowledge, stories and culture.

Banerjee:

Nautanki Theatre is excited to tour the work to Campbelltown, a region with a significant migrant population, including many residents from South Asia. “Campbelltown holds a critical position as it has increasingly become a boundary between Western Sydney and the regions.

Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Darcy Lound:

We’re excited to welcome ‘Ten Years To Home’ to Campbelltown. Our city is shaped by its rich cultural diversity and strong migrant communities. It’s vital that we continue to present stories that reflect and connect with our local community. We invite audiences from all backgrounds to engage with this compelling work.

Director of Campbelltown Arts Centre:

We’re pleased to present ‘Ten Years To Home’ by Nautanki Theatre, a work that captures the layered experiences of South Asian communities and their diverse multigenerational migration stories. It will resonate strongly with our local community, and it’s vital we continue to platform stories our audiences connect with Mouna Zaylah.

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Season Details

Venue: Campbelltown Arts Centre
Date: 04 – 06 June 2026

For more information click HERE