Saltbush

Saltbush is an immersive and interactive journey through Australia’s First Nations culture.

It centres on the journey of two friends and their spiritual guide on foot as they cross Australian landscapes – river country, an urban landscape, desert, and the sea. The journey is one of discovering the land, growing an understanding, and acknowledging how it shapes and inspires personal journeys.

Through its use of sensor and infrared cameras, Saltbush allows young audiences to interact, play and perform in the show. It also provides a unique experience for parents and teachers as they witness the children become involved.

Saltbush is a plant that can be found across Australia and so it represents a common thread between Indigenous nations and First Nations peoples. This shared idea acted as a point of inspiration for the narrative, contemporary painting, dance, and instrumental music created by First Nations artists. These artistic forms were used as a means of interpreting the natural features of the landscape in an Indigenous mythological context.

TPO’s award-winning artistry in multi-media theatre for young people is combined with the work of acclaimed First Nations artists – Composer/ Musician Lou Bennett (Yorta Yorta/ Dja Dja Wurrung), Visual Artist/ Designer Delwyn Mannix (Wangkangurru) and Choreographer Deon Hastie (Tjapukai) with dramaturgy by Sasha Zahra and artistic direction by Insite Arts director Jason Cross and TPO director Davide Venturini.