Palawa playwright Nathan Maynard’s, The Line co-directed by Dr Rachael Maza AM, is a darkly-humorous theatrical retelling of the Frontier Wars (1804-30) in Lutruwita/Tasmania. Combining puppetry, live film, movement and text, the work captures the legacy of the Black Line, a brutal colonial campaign that continues to shape Palawa identity and survival.
Created in association with Ilbijerri Theatre Company and collaborating partners Terrapin Puppet Theatre, Belvoir and The University of Melbourne, this is a nationally significant story anchored in place, resistance and creative sovereignty, with truth-telling at its core.
Speaking about his new work, writer Nathan Maynard said,
“The current catch cry sweeping the country is, ‘truth telling.’ But this isn’t a new concept to Creative Australia, who have been enabling First Nations artists to tell their truths year after year. I feel extremely blessed that they have given me an opportunity to tell this dark truth about Australia’s history. And the truth around the colony’s continuous shape shifting tactics, that violently keep the behaviours of the past, very present.”
Historically, The Black Line – as it was known – involved 2,200 soldiers, settlers and convicts, who were assembled as part of a military campaign by the British. Together they became a human chain which crossed the districts of Lutruwita, intimidating, capturing, and displacing Aboriginal People. The Frontier Wars remains the largest domestic military offensive in Australian history, and was a genocide often misrepresented for its lasting legacy of destruction.
Nathan Maynard’s provocative reimagining of this event carries us between times. Harnessing the power of production and technology to draw parallels between contemporary issues and their historical origins.
Through highlighting the ongoing effects of the Frontier Wars on the Palawa people, The Line prospects a way forward. Dismantling structures with a timely, passionate story that speaks to the truth of this country and celebrates First Peoples extraordinary resilience and strength.
The Line is the latest play in development from Nathan Maynard. His plays have toured nationally featuring in Sydney Festival, 10 Days on the Island, Brisbane Festival, RISING Festival, Perth Festival, and Adelaide Festival.
