Dating Black by Narelle Thorne

Djinda is over 40, living back with her loving Aunty and has decided to look for love again. She meets Justin at a bar and enlists her best friend Hope to try and keep her over protective brother from sticking his nose into what could be a a promising match. Love is in the air for all and side-splitting laughs and plenty of cultural depth abounds in this wonderful play by new playwright, Wajarri-Noongar woman Narelle Thorne.

Form and Style

Originally produced on the mainstage at Subiaco Arts Centre in November 2021, this show was designed for a corner thrust stage but can be easily transformed to suit proscenium arch or black box venues.

Community Engagement

We request that we have a meeting and a cup of tea with Elder/s or Traditional Owner/s of the country we travel to as first order of business, so that we are welcomed, feel safe and know that we have the local First Nations community’s interest/investment in the show. We also encourage a focus on ‘couples’ or ‘girls’ nights as part of a season as the play is about finding love. We can also provide a Q & A session after the show at each venue. Also, if venues wish to engage their community prior to the performance, we would suggest that they send out an invitation to the community to provide a postcard or enable on-line posts of their funniest dating experiences, which could be displayed in the theatre foyer via a screen or a pin-up board, making sure that potential audience members only identify themselves by their first name, etc. Just food for thought for venues to consider.

Reviews

“Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company’s new rom-com will have you swiping right.” – Seesaw Magazine

“Thorne writes with sweet insight and a fetching; light feel for comedy.”- The Turnstiles

“I didn’t realise how much I needed a good laugh until I left with sides hurting, jaw aching. Can’t recommend Dating Black show enough – get out, have a laugh, enjoy.” – Audience member

Available Marketing Collaterals

• Poster (A2, A3)
• Flyer (Postcard)
• Video: Full length production video, promo videos, vox-pop
• Program
• Media Release
• Radio Ad
• Production photos

Credits

Established in 1993, the Year of Indigenous People, as Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre, we started off with one successful funding application, three staff members and the desire to provide the Aboriginal community

with an artistic outlet for positive self-determination.

Since then, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company has evolved into a respected cultural leader and artistic hub for Aboriginal people from all over WA, Australia, and around the world.

Yirra Yaakin produces award-winning, world-class theatre, sharing Aboriginal stories through exciting, entertaining, educational and authentic new works. The company has commissioned and premiered more than 50 new major Festival presentations like Waltzing the Wilarra, One day in 67, Aliwah, Windmill Baby, Cruel Wild Woman, Hecate, The Sum of Us and Panawathi Girl. We have worked with and nurtured prestigious Aboriginal writers including David Milroy, Sally Morgan, Derek Nannup, Mitch Torres and Dallas Winmar, among many others.

We stand tall and are proud to produce a body of work unrivalled in innovation, excellence and cultural significance. Yirra Yaakin’s priority is to ensure Aboriginal theatre remains under Aboriginal control and provides opportunities for Aboriginal artists at all levels of theatre creation and production. Our education and community engagement programs support Indigenous trainees to be mentored, develop skills and work in the Australian theatre sector.