The Hen House

PYT Fairfield and In Wild Company present the world premiere of THE HEN HOUSE, a light-hearted, musical and story-rich homage to the inspirational and (sometimes) tragic lives of migrant female factory workers during the 70’s, on stage at Riverside Theatres Parramatta from 7 to 9 September.

It’s 1976. Sherbet’s ‘Howzat’ is No.1 on the Charts. Industries are booming, and it’s migrant women who are cashing in. Pavica, a young Croatian mother is dressed in her crisp white uniform, smiling proudly on the production line, elbows deep in chicken carcasses, loving her job and her new Australian life.

Mila, however, does NOT love her job. In fact, she despises it. The screaming chooks, screeching machines, not to mention the tenosynovitis that plagues the production line. For her, this factory is a hell house. Mila is hellbent on taking this chicken business, and ripping it to bits.

Pavica and Mila see so much potential in their new lives in Australia, however the management of the rough-as-guts factory-floor are yet to see the potential in them. In the world of chicken processing, migrant women are rendered dispensable, invisible and voiceless. That is, until they start to hear their own voice.