Production still for "The Shadow King". L to R: Jimi Bani, Natasha Wanganeen. R Photographer: Jeff Busby

The Shadow King (2013)

11 October 2013 – 27 October 2013 Merlyn Theatre

Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne Festival,

New Adaptation Theatre Co-Production

Epic and provocative, The Shadow King reworks Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy King Lear as a sprawling, blood-soaked tale of two Indigenous families in Australia’s north.

Weaving a parable that echoes our nation’s history, this ambitious new production is truly unmissable theatre of a scale and significance to match the land on which it’s made.

"OUR TEMPLES ARE BUILT IN THE GROUND. OUR CASTLES ARE IN THE DIRT. WE OURSELVES ARE WRITTEN IN THE STARS."

— Balang T.E. Lewis

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jada Alberts, Tom E Lewis (rear), Rarriwuy Hick (front), Natasha Wanganeen. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jada Alberts, Tom E. Lewis. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Kamahi Djordon King, Damion Hunter. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Kamahi Djordon King, Frances Djulibing. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jimi Bani, Natasha Wanganeen. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jada Alberts, Tom E Lewis (rear), Rarriwuy Hick (front), Natasha Wanganeen. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jada Alberts, Tom E. Lewis. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Kamahi Djordon King, Damion Hunter. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Kamahi Djordon King, Frances Djulibing. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Shadow King". L-R: Jimi Bani, Natasha Wanganeen. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Cast

Creatives

+ See all 22 Creatives

Acknowledgements

A Malthouse Theatre & Melbourne Festival production in association with Sydney Festival, Perth International Arts Festival, Adelaide Festival & Brisbane Festival. Malthouse Theatre's Indigenous Theatre Program is made possible with the generous support of the Tom Kantor Fund and the CAL Cultural Fund.