Malthouse announces world premiere of THE RETURN; plus SEVEN METHODS OF KILLING KYLIE JENNER and cast of LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI

Malthouse Theatre today unveiled two more epic works in its Season 2022 line up including The Return, a world premiere co-commission with RISING, and the Melbourne premiere of smash hit comedy, seven methods of killing kylie jenner; plus the cast of upcoming stage premiere, Looking for Alibrandi. 

Torres Strait Islander playwright John Harvey recounts a dark history of Australia in The Return, inspired by Yorta Yorta man Jason Tamiru’s experiences as a repatriation worker. Malthouse Theatre and RISING’s new production, premiering in the Merlyn Theatre in May, brings to light the macabre true histories, false justifications and the discredited and harmful scientific theory of eugenics used to keep First Peoples’ remains from reaching their rightful resting places. Locked away in museums, on display at universities and hoarded in private collections are the bodily remains of First Peoples men, women and children. Pillaged by grave robbers and sold on by unscrupulous dealers, these people taken from their place of rest have been sold and traded for study and display across the globe.

Harvey (Heart is a Wasteland) weaves three intersecting narratives—a repatriation officer, a museum curator and a bone collector—in an epic tale spanning 250 years. In his Malthouse directorial debut, Tamiru joins forces with Malthouse Theatre Artistic Director Matthew Lutton and a First Nations cast from across Australia including Jimi Bani, Ghenoa Gela, Damion Hunter, Angelica Lockyer, Guy Simon and Laila Thaker.

Co-Director Jason Tamiru said:

The inhuman practice of removing our People from Country for research and curiosity has brought much trauma and pain to my People and Country. Bringing our People back home to Country helps to heal the planet and allows our ancestors to reset their journey to the spirit world. Yurratha, Woka, Biyala, Wala (Sky, Land, Tree, Water, Dreaming)’

Looking For Alibrandi will have its Australian premiere in the Merlyn Theatre in July, before a season at Belvoir. Director Stephen Nicolazzo (Loaded, Merciless Gods) brings Melina Marchetta’s best-selling novel to the stage for the first time, where Vidya Rajan’s adaptation will join three generations of women in a passionate, heart wrenching, and unmissable rendering of the Australian classic.

Starring Chanella Macri (Australian Realness), Lucia Mastrantone, and Jennifer Vuletic (Because The Night) as the Alibrandi women with Ashley Lyons, Hannah Monson and Dion Williams, Looking for Alibrandi is the honest and empowered portrait of 1990s Mediterranean culture that spoke for the first time about systemic racism in Australia from a migrant perspective. It defined a generation and to this day resonates with those caught in the stranglehold of identity and othering in this country.

Director Stephen Nicolazzo said:

The story has always compelled me because it spoke so directly to the conflict I experienced, socially and internally. I was scared to embrace my identity for fear of not being able to access an Anglo-centric world. Josie was the first character I had ever read or seen on screen that understood what it was like. She made me proud to be a wog and I will thank Melina for creating her every single day.

Written by award-winning British playwright Jasmine Lee-Jones, seven methods of killing kylie jenner is a deep dive into the murky waters of colourism and the commodification of Black women. Co-Produced by Green Door Theatre Company and Darlinghurst Theatre Company, this savvy comedy has its Melbourne debut in the Beckett Theatre from July.