Melissa Merchant

The Lindy and Azaria Chamberlain story is fascinating, not just for the details of the case (which make compelling reading) but also for the way Australia and the world reacted at the time, during the subsequent inquests and trial, and through until today. This is a complex story and Alana Valentine has chosen to tell it in a complex way – through the more than 20,000 letters sent to Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton since Azaria’s death, and with a cast of a total of four performers (one who plays Lindy and three who play the remaining thirty plus characters). From a director’s perspective, this is a tricky script – how to do you ensure you honour the memory and contributions of those who are represented? How do you depict real people, many of whom are still alive? Particularly challenging was representing the voices of Indigenous Australians, who were a crucial part of the Lindy and Azaria story. Casting was a critical for this production and I was privileged to have a cast that not only understands the nuances and complexities of this story, but who are also committed to telling it in an authentic and genuine way. Ultimately, what has surprised me with this script, and this cast, is the light that can be found in the darkest of places. If nothing else, I hope this production encourages you to think critically about what you see and read.