AustLit

The author writes:

'Yellow is not Yellow is a poem.

A poem of word, monologue and dialogue. A poem of movement, song and music. It is a poem of performance. Yellow is not Yellow is about myself and is not about myself. It is about my friends but it is not really about my friends.'

'The three texts in this volume explore culture, myth, marriage, pilgimage, family and journeys from the mores of Old China to those of contemporary Australia.' (From the publisher's website.)

'Commencing with a school performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Shakespearean themes of suffering and reconciliation persist as three families on separate holidays are united during a fierce storm.

'Immigrants Harry and Vic love their adopted country but are faced with their son Tom’s terminal illness. Jim and Gwen fret over their daughter Meg’s blossoming independence and her friendship with the socially unsuitable Tom. Roy is unable to console a grief-stricken Coral over the death of their only son in Vietnam.

'But with the help of some Shakespearean fairies and a spectacular storm, these families are reconciled and face the future anew.

'For two decades audiences have been enthralled by this story about the coming of age of both a group of individuals and the country in which they live. Despite being set almost 40 years ago, this multi-award winning play is as relevant as ever with its themes of reconciliation and loss.

'Away is sharply observed, clever, funny and yet very moving. Out of the familiar family ingredients, Gow has constructed a magical play that every Australian can relate to. It depicts the hopes of a new generation, prompting us to consider what is ultimately most important in our lives.' (Publication summary)

A woman waited for her husband to return from the war. She waited for a thousand years until she turned into a rock. The rock of the woman who waits for her husband: Hon Vong Phu

The Return is a profoundly poetic performance piece: one moment in a journey the moment of waiting. Using music, movement, text and shamanistic ritual, The Return explores the ways in which we remember and the power of those memories; what fades and what remains. It is the product of many minds and cultures, based upon an original script by Ta Duy Binh, inspired by the plight of Vietnamese migrants. Music by leading Vietnamese composer Ngoc-Tuan Hoang and set design by Pierre Thibaudeau.

The return will open this year's Asian Theatre Season at Belvoir St Theatre. The aim of the festival is to present works developed by artists from different cultural backgrounds. [Source: Integration : The Magazine for Multicultural and Vietnamese Issues, vol 2, no. 5 (August 1994) p. 92]