program

This performance is dedicated to Zachary Charlie Evans, Alyson’s nephew, born still at the Heath Hospital, Cardiff, 28/10/2011.

And Mamo, the toughest Welsh woman there was.

Iphigenia in Splott

by Gary Owen

Presented by Hungry Hearts
through the Brown’s Mart ENGAGE Program

Iphigenia: pronounced if-ih-juh-NIGH-uh

Splott: A suburb in Cardiff, South Wales

“What is gonna happen, when we can't take it anymore?”

Welcome to Splott in working class Wales. Shops are gone, Bingo Hall burnt, pubs closed, doctors shut.

Face on, our hero Effie is too much for you to handle. Poor, pissed and on the prowl, she survives her days in an endless cycle of drink and hangovers. Until one fateful night gives her the chance to reach for something more. 

A funny, furious and vodka-soaked odyssey that asks - what happens when a woman, a town, a people, are sacrificed too many times?

This production was rehearsed and performed on Gulumerrdjin Larrakia Country. All our respect to the Larrakia people, the first people and true custodians of this beautiful place we call home.

Content warnings

Take care of yourself. Leave if you want to.

This show contains content that can be distressing. Click below for details.

  • Swearing

    Drug and alcohol use

    Birth trauma, including neonatal loss

    Descriptions of wartime injury and death

Yma O Hyd

We’re still here.

Hungry Hearts

A collective of award-winning theatre-makers and storytellers from the NT.

We believe in the transformative power of stories, centring well-being and a good toastie.

Alyson Evans

Alyson is a performer, theatre maker and community artist whose practice centres on cultural development and social change. She has directed and produced work for leading arts organisations across Australia, including StoryProjects, Brown’s Mart Theatre, HotHouse Theatre and the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, and has worked extensively with young people, First Nations communities, people with disabilities and people from refugee backgrounds in Australia and internationally. Alyson is currently Co-Executive Officer at Darwin Community Arts and a member of the Artistic Leadership Team at Tracks Dance. She is a recipient of the Kirk Robson Award and the Lynne Williams Award for Outstanding Cultural Leadership, and graduate of NIDA’s MFA Cultural Leadership.

Sean Pardy

Sean is a theatre maker and arts administrator with over 25 years’ experience across directing, performance, design and arts leadership. A passionate advocate for independent artists and creative communities, he served as Artistic Director of Brown’s Mart (2013–2021), where he supported the development of award-winning new Australian work. Sean co-founded Critical Stages to expand employment opportunities for artists and bring live theatre to audiences nationwide. His work is guided by compassion, humour and a deep commitment to artists, and he is a recipient of the NT Performing Arts Award (Legend), the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award (Facilitator), and an alumnus of the Australia Council Leadership Program.

Ciella Williams

Ciella Williams is a Darwin-based theatre maker, writer and mother working across writing, dramaturgy, directing and performance. Her debut play Hush premiered in Sydney and Darwin in 2022 and was shortlisted for the 2023 Glenda Adams Award for New Writing. Ciella has directed work for Brown’s Mart Theatre’s education and development programs and is a member of the IGNITE Collective, creating new work for women aged 20–30. Her work has been presented by ATYP, Brown’s Mart Theatre and festivals nationally.

Kelly Blumberg

Kelly is an arts administrator and production specialist with over 20 years’ experience in the Northern Territory performing arts sector. A graduate of Theatre Technical Production, she has held senior roles including Venue Manager at Brown’s Mart Theatre, Production and Stage Manager with leading NT companies, and General Manager at Corrugated Iron Youth Arts. Kelly is currently General Manager at Artback NT and a graduate of the 2024/25 Creative Australia Creative Leadership Program. She is deeply committed to supporting artists and creative communities and lives in Garramilla on Larrakia Country with her family.

This is a no-budget production, made by a bunch of friends.

Thank you for supporting us.

Written by
Gary Owen

Lighting by Sean Pardy and Tom Lydiard

Music by
James Mangohig

Production support by Vic James-Evans

Pre-show song Yma O Hyd by JJJambo.

Post-show song Bittersweet Symphony by Ren.

Go buy their music.

Thank yous

Thanks to Naomi for operating. Thank you to Darwin Community Arts and Tracks Dance for rehearsal space and chairs, and Brown’s Mart Theatre for supporting us through the Engage Program. Thanks to Danny, Emma and Ollie for holding the fort, and Asher, Travis, Ivy, Lyra, Ruth and Orla for releasing us. Thanks to Gail for rehearsing the first scene of this piece with Alyson! Thanks to Lanie via Regi and Lou for the throne, and Hannah for the graff. Thanks Rachael for the photos and Todd for the video. And thanks to Jenelle, Kelly and David for the sexy dancing coaching.

Support

This performance contains sensitive themes. If this experience raises any concerns or emotions you would like support with, please contact: 

Lifeline: 13 11 14

NT Mental Health Crisis Line: 1800 682 288

Giving 

All proceeds from this production will be donated to Darwin Aboriginal Women’s Shelter (DAIWS), which offers culturally safe crisis and outreach support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families escaping domestic, family and sexual violence. 

We encourage you to donate too:  www.daiws.org.au/