My Urrwai, Ghenoa Gela latest show, offers a glimpse into Torres Strait Islander culture and reflects on race relations in Australia today
The one-hour one-woman show of strait performance and powerful story-telling will debut at the Belvoir Street Theatre on January 19th as part of Sydney Festival.
Author-and performer Ghenoa Gela says “My Urrwai is a kind of autobiographical performance. I guess it is an amalgamation of many things; movement and text. My Urrwai comes from my mother’s language of the Torres Strait Islands. It is like a spirit. The way you move; the way you are. It is nothing really you can translate in English.”
The artist was introduced to her Torres Strait Island heritage at a young age. Together with her brothers, they grew up watching their traditional dances especially when families and communities would come together. This cultural inheritance is candidly reflected in My Urrwai in a humorous and often irreverent form.
Ghenoa Gela is inviting the audience to participate, clap, scream and express themselves during her performances. The audience is also welcome to stay back after each show to exchange views or just have a yarn.
During this year’s Sydney Festival Ghenoa Gela will also feature in a separate production of the Force Majeure Theatre Company.
