Filled with humour and heartbreak, this stunning new work by award-winning playwright Alana Valentine (Dead Man Brake,Head Full of Love) explores the public’s relationship with one of 20th Century Australia’s most iconic figures.
The court case captivated a nation. A mother accused of murdering her child, her claim – that the baby was taken by a dingo – denied and discredited by zealous police and a flawed legal system. The media circus, the rumours, the nation’s prejudices laid bare. And in the eye of the storm – Lindy Chamberlain.
Over three decades, from baby Azaria’s death to the final coroner’s report, the public’s fascination with Lindy has seldom waned. The National Library in Canberra holds a collection of more than 20,000 letters to Lindy. From sympathy to abuse, from marriage proposals to death threats and photos of dogs’ birthday parties (yes, really!), the letters traverse the gamut of human response to Lindy’s story.
Letters to Lindy draws on this extraordinary correspondence and interviews with Lindy herself, to create an enthralling, revealing, and long overdue dialogue between Lindy and the nation. It paints a singular portrait of the heartbreak, wisdom and resilience of a grieving mother.
- Venue Format
- Theatre
- Technical Rating
- Touring Party
- 6
The Surfers and the Mermaid is a co-production between Merrigong Theatre Company and Bleach Festival.
Merrigong Theatre Company manages one of Australia's busiest, most dynamic regional venues – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC) in Wollongong. Since 2005, under Artistic Director Simon Hinton, Merrigong has developed into a vibrant theatre company in its own right – producing, presenting and touring exciting contemporary theatre and supporting the development of a wide range of theatre-makers. Merrigong presents a diverse annual season of theatre, dance and children’s programming, including work sourced from Australia’s finest performing arts companies, self-produced work, acclaimed international productions, and innovative contemporary work from new companies.
Bleach is the Gold Coast Festival, taking place annually across the City in April. The program is one of Australia’s leading and most exciting site-specific contemporary arts programs. Quintessentially Gold Coast, Bleach celebrates the city’s most dynamic and adventurous artists, welcomes renowned Australian and international collaborators and engages a broad audience through a range of events. Utilising the Gold Coast’s world-famous natural landscape as unconventional venues, Bleach* aims to deliver incredible arts and cultural experiences that challenge expectations, change perceptions and provide a unique and authentic sense of place, inspiring both locals and visitors alike.
- Company Website
- merrigong.com.au
Marketing Materials
Full marketing resources available including:
Education pack Marketing copy and kit Extensive media and promo footage from original season Print materials Production images
Comments/Reviews
Diana Simmonds
Media Review
“Amazing and highly recommended.” “It is surprisingly funny, often extremely confronting, very moving and always enthralling.” “Letters To Lindy is not only highly entertaining, but also an important contribution to the Australian story. It belongs on high school curricula and discussion groups where The Crucible is more often to be found. “ (Read More)
Adrienne Gross
Media Review
“…Exquisitely touching… Detail upon detail is woven into a finely stitched masterpiece” (Read More)
Kevin Jackson
Media Review
On the night I watched this play, at its ending, many people, mostly women, stood to applaud - they gave a standing ovation. I am sure it was as much to applaud the performance of the artists involved as it was to regard/recognise the life trials of Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton. (Read More)