“Sweeping and spirited, vital and genuinely moving” ★★★★
CAMERON WOODHEAD | THE AGE
A polyvocal theatre work made by visionary communities and creatives examining the intersections of public and private safety, race, gender, and terror in the streets of our city. VIGIL has something to ask Australia:
What lives matter?
Do our lives matter?
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A crowded tram progresses along its journey. There is a passenger fleeing war and bombs. Another flees her partner. One believes she has found refuge from an oppressive regime. Another wants to walk a park at night and feel the grass under her feet. One observes the settlers on this tram, in all their diversity and indifference to Blak lives. Commuters crack jokes about wives, and mothers, and laugh.
You are invited to take this journey to the end of the line.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director, Concept and Dramaturgy Irine Vela
Playwrights Bryan Andy, Kush Kuiy, Sahra Davoudi, Samah Sabawi, Patricia Cornelius and Angela Costi
Choreographer Tara Jade Samaya
Performers Ali Ammouchi, Angela Costi, Carly Sheppard, Georgia Rudd, Joshinder Chaggar, Kamarra Bell-Wykes, Karlia Cook, Michaela Tancheff, Michelle Heaven, Navera Ari, Nic Synot, Nyawuda Chuol, Paddy Montgomery, Sahra Davoudi, Sermsah Bin Saad, Taj Aldeeb, Rebecca Robinson with El Amal Women’s Group – Banksia Gardens Community Services
Composition and Sound Designer Irine Vela
Set Designer Nathan Burmeister
Costume Designer Harriet Oxley
Lighting Designer Richard Vabre
Sound Engineer Siiri Metsar
Assistant Director Katerina Kotsonis
Production Manager Genevieve Cizevskis
Stage Manager Jo Leishman
Assistant Stage Manager Margot Storm
Producer Kate Gillick
Image credit Meredith O’Shea
Producer 2025 Development Lara Week
Consulting Producer 2024-25 Development Kath Papas
Dramaturgy Development Mari Lourey
Script Consultant – ‘Dhalanan Mulana’ Andrea James
VIGIL premiered at Arts House in 2026.
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See show program >here<
Translated flyers for
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Developed and presented with partnership support from the Australian Government through Creative Australia and its arts funding and advisory body including Creative Futures Fund (development), the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Reve Fund, Webster Fund, sub-funds of Australian Communities Foundation, Besen Family Foundation, Inner North Community Foundation, Brian Davis Charitable Foundation, Banksia Gardens Community Services, Arts House – City of Melbourne, supporters Amy Hubbard and Crispin Butteriss, Hume City Council and Merri-bek City Council.
Reviews:
“Vigil is a sweeping and spirited, vital and genuinely moving fusion of theatre and dance, and among the more impressive performance works to emerge from this country in the wake of the #MeToo movement.”
★★★★
-CAMERON WOODHEAD | THE AGE
“Vigil isn’t just a theatrical show; it is an entrancing, enveloping experience that sweeps up the audience in a series of images, revelations and insights.”
-MICHAEL BRINDLEY | STAGE WHISPERS
"The live arts often blend a variety of disciplines to create unique theatrical experiences. Outer Urban Projects embraces this notion head-on. VIGIL might spring from loss and grief, but it celebrates life in all its diversity."