Tribes by Nina Raine

The Hartwell Players & Encore Theatre Company are proud to be present Tribes by Nina Raine; March – April 2022.  

Billy’s intellectual and proudly eccentric English family is its own tiny empire: private languages, in-jokes and fiery arguments. Billy, deaf since birth, is the only one who truly listens. When he meets his girlfriend Sylvia, he is introduced to a larger Deaf community and sign language, which sparks a struggle for self-identity and rebellion against his family. Tribes is a sharp, witty and touching story about finding the place where you can be heard and a family that feels like home. 

“A smart, lively, and beautifully acted new play that asks us to hear how we hear, in silence as well as in speech” – The New York Journal 

“The best-written, best-plotted, deepest, most daring, and funniest, new play in recent years.” – Wall Street Journal 

The prestigious winner of the 2012 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, 2012 New York Drama Critics Circle Award, Best Foreign Play and 2012 Obie Award, Tribes is that rare play that is both truly different and has the potential to affect the way that people view an entire society. 

Directed by Paul Wanis, a NAATI qualified Auslan interpreter, whose recent productions include the award-winning Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire to much critical acclaim and Frosted Glass Coffin. Tribes will be presented in both English and Auslan with interpreters present at all shows for what promises to be an innovative and collaborative audience experience.  

WHICH TRIBE WILL BILLY CHOOSE?

Performances: Wednesday 16 March 2022 – Saturday 2 April 2022

Location: Encore Theatre, 9-15 Cooke Street, Clayton VIC 3168