The Daly River Girl
Tessa Rose’s debut play is a compelling personal story of hardship, love and resilience.
Following an extensive career in acting and dance across Australia, Rose has put pen to paper for the first time to produce this autobiographical one-woman show.
Her story is a tapestry of themes including growing up with non-Aboriginal families in Perth, first love, domestic violence, theatrical success and finding her way back to home and kin at Daly River.
She says working on the show was a difficult process at times, and she needed a full four years to bring it to fruition.
“Delving into my childhood could be very painful. I would have to leave it alone for months at a time from bringing memories to the surface I thought had been safely locked away in my brain.”
Creative partnerships have been key to the process, not least with Director Alex Galeazzi who she has worked with on previous creative projects.
“Due to the personal nature of the story, needing to feel safe and secure, you have to have that special connection. Alex and I have a truly beautiful creative bond that has bought The Daly River Girl to where it is now, ready for the stage.”
Galeazzi agrees it’s a unique creative partnership. He says the play is a culturally significant contribution to Australian theatre and one he’s privileged to help bring to audiences.
He says Rose’s emotional journey is also supported by a combination of theatrical mediums that will thrill and move audiences.
“It’s complex sound design meets Indigenous animation together with filmed imagery, all from a team of established film, sound, lighting and animation artists.”
For Rose, writing her first play and having the world premiere here in Darwin is a dream come true.
“Theatre is raw, alive and for me, the most powerful medium to tell a story. It’s a very rewarding and proud time for me and my children.”
Wed 8 – Sun 26 Nov | Brown's Mart Theatre
