The Shifting Heart

AN emotionally charged Australian classic is being given a new lease of life this September.

Written by Richard Beynon and directed by Tim Riessen at Stirling Theatre, The Shifting Heart is set during the 1956 Christmas season and delves into the lives of an Italian immigrant family in Collingwood struggling to find their place, despite prejudice and misunderstanding.

A neighbour constantly throws rubbish over the fence, the local storekeeper calls them “Momma Macaroni” and “Poppa Spaghetti” and Gino is refused a partnership in a scrap metal company because an Italian name on the truck might lose business.

Originally produced in London’s West End in London in 1959, recorded as a 1962 ABC radio play and adapted for ABC television in 1968, it was one of the first plays to address xenophobic attitudes toward post-World War II immigrants in Australia.

“The Shifting Heart is not only a gripping drama but also a timely reminder of the challenges faced by immigrants and the importance of empathy and understanding in a multicultural society,” Riessen said.

“The discrimination seems mild by today’s standards but 60 years ago it was hurtful and the themes still resonate today.

“Through the family’s experiences, the play masterfully explores themes of love, resilience and the enduring human spirit.”

Originally performing as a teenager, Riessen made a return to the stage more than 10 years ago and has appeared with the Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company and Limelight and Stirling Theatres in productions such as Anything Goes, The Darling Buds of May and Speaking in Tongues.

He has directed several shows since 2017, including David Williamson’s Let The Sunshine, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll and Of Mice and Men.

“I found the script for The Shifting Heart in a bookstore and liked it because it was Australian,” Riessen said.

“Ensuring the play rings true of its time is important but it also highlights the ongoing issues of cultural integration and still burns with truth.”

Stirling Theatre is proudly supported by the City of Stirling’s Community Grants Program.