It is a privilege to open Malthouse’s 2026 Season with the world premiere of Jada Alberts' new work, Black Light. Jada and Malthouse have long been collaborators, with highlights including their performance in the seminal work The Shadow King, and their writing and direction of the modern classic, The Brothers Wreck.
Black Light arrived at Malthouse as one of those wonderful surprises. The company had been discussing a new work from Jada for a number of years, when, without warning, a fully realised piece appeared in the (e)mail.
New work takes time to find it’s voice, and yet, from the first time the team read the piece, Jada’s voice was vivid and clear, moving elegantly between the domestic, as three generations sit on the verandah of the family homestead on Larrakia land, and the transcendent, the plane where we commune with memory, time and the natural world. Jada is grappling with the big questions of how (and why) we live, and how we mostly exist in the daily rituals of cups of tea and caring for each other.
Malthouse is a company committed to pushing form, and Jada has offered us a piece that deeply considers the ways we tell stories. With a stellar design team (truly, seeing the design come to life on the Merlyn stage is awe-inspiring) and a remarkable quartet of actors, we are thrilled to open the new season with Black Light, and deeply grateful that Jada has entrusted the company to bring it to life.
WRITER AND DIRECTOR'S NOTE
JADA ALBERTS
I began thinking about this work in 2024 while I was driving alone. I made several trips across Country, some 8,000km back and forth to see my family and my maternal grandmother, Cecilia Cubillo. Her health was declining as sheaged and I needed to be with her. Mostly to honour her. The sacrifices she made for the survival of those that came after her cannot be quantified with words. The same can be said of every Black mother in my ancestral line. I know this because I saw it in the threegenerations before me and if they had passed on before I was born, I checked. I studied their lives. I asked older family members. I searched for them in records, historybooks and archives. Up until I was in my early 20’s, I had two great-grandmothers, both Black.As a survivor of genocide, this is incredibly fortunate. I had the privilege to truly know them as grandmothers, to spend so much time listening and learning from them. The wisdom and love they embodied and shared is the beating heart of my family lineage and the backbone of my life’s work. In September this year my maternal grandmother, Cecilia, will turn 90. In a matter of days, her first great, great grandchild will be born.
When I finally began writing the words that make up this play, I wasonDharawal country, thinking about all of the Black mothers before me. I began to wonder what they might say if they were with me, how they would pass on the wisdom and culture they held, given one last earthly, spectacular chance. What came is the play you’re about to watch.
Naturalism works a little differently in this world. Most of the charactersyou’ll see on stage don’t have names. My culture in practice teaches us to relate to ourselves and to each other reciprocally (two-way learning); circularly. To time and to space this way too. And then there is a dream space you’ll come to know too, (not to be confused with The Dreaming). This place is somewhere-in-between. In this dream place,the character of Nan is almost completely free to guide her family back home. Back to belonging. Back to Country and to each other. I hope you remember yourbelonging in her words too. I hope her words remind you of your own humanity, your interconnectedness, to every living thing and the Country that holds you.
Lastly, I chose not to use a single Larrakia word in this play. That was deliberate. Despite that, Black Light is the most culturally informed workI’ve written. In the fullness of my sovereigntyI’veattempted to use the English language to serve a very Black purpose. I’ve used rhythm and poetry in an attempt to distort and bend colonial language and colonial concept. To turn a weapon used against us, as a tool to service Black knowing and being. Who knows how this little experiment willgo, but thank you for coming and being a part of it. I hope you enjoy the show.
Rachael Maza, Lisa Maza.
Tahlee Fereday, Trisha Morton-Thomas.
Rachael Maza, Lisa Maza, Trisha Morton-Thomas, Tahlee Fereday.
Jada Alberts, tomas parrish-chynoweth.
Cast & Creatives
Photo of TAHLEE FEREDAY
TAHLEE FEREDAY
SHE/HER
BUB
Photo of LISA MAZA
LISA MAZA
SHE/HER
MUM
Photo of RACHAEL MAZA
RACHAEL MAZA
SHE/HER
AUNTY
Photo of TRISHA MORTON-THOMAS
TRISHA MORTON-THOMAS
SHE/HER
NAN
Photo of JADA ALBERTS
JADA ALBERTS
THEY/THEM
WRITER & DIRECTOR
Photo of DALE FERGUSON
DALE FERGUSON
He/Him
SET & COSTUME DESIGNER
Photo of JENNY HECTOR
JENNY HECTOR
SHE/HER
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Photo of KELLY RYALL
KELLY RYALL
HE/HIM
COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER
Photo of JESSICA ARTHUR
JESSICA ARTHUR
SHE/HER
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Photo of tomas parrish-chynoweth
tomas parrish-chynoweth
THEY/THEM
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Photo of KEZIAH WARNER
KEZIAH WARNER
She/Her
Dramaturg
Photo of SUZANNE HEYWOOD
SUZANNE HEYWOOD
She/Her
Voice & Text Coach
Photo of JESS KEEPENCE
JESS KEEPENCE
She/Her
Stage Manager
Photo of ROSEMARY OSMOND
ROSEMARY OSMOND
She/Her
Assistant Stage Manager
Photo of ELLA FERRIS
ELLA FERRIS
She/Her
Standby
"I wrote Black Light as a way to honour my grandmothers, and great grandmothers. To reflect on the wisdom passed down to me, through my mother and her sisters too, all of whom helped to raise me. As a mother of three children myself, it’s become my responsibility to pass this wisdom on too."
JADA ALBERTS
DACE MCCLUCKIE FROM ARAN MICHAEL MANAGEMENT; JUSTINE GOSS, DARY POINTON & OLIVIA MORTIMER-EADE FROM AURORA ARTISTS' MANAGEMENT; JAMES GRIERSON FROM CMC TALENT; EDWINA STUART & SYBILLA WAJON FROM HLA MANAGEMENT; JANINE LAU & STEPHANIE ADAMS FROM MOLLISON KEIGHTLEY MANAGEMENT; AIMEE RAVEK & EMILY JOHNSON FROM RGM ARTISTS; ANN CHURCHILL-BROWN, RACHEL SYMES & NOAH WILSON FROM SHANAHAN MANAGEMENT; VERONICA TAYLOR FROM SUE BARNETT & ASSOCIATES; AUSTRALIAN PLAYS TRANSFORM; NAZAREE DICKERSON: GEORGINA NAIDU; MELODIE REYNOLDS-DIARRA; JESSICA ARTHUR; MARK BYRNE AND JMP CONSULTING ENGINEERS; ROCK AND REDGUM DROMANA
FROM JADA ALBERTS:
Thank you firstly to my mum, Franchesca Cubillo and to our matriarch, G – Ican’t find the words but I love you. To my hilarious children, thank you for your patience – Robin, Ivy and Francis, Ama’s almost done, I promise. To my partner, Anna McGahan, thank you for reminding me to keep picking up the pen. Thank you to everyone on the team building this, particularly Vivia Hickman, Keziah Warner, Tomas Parrish, Jess Arthur, Shari Indriani, IsaacDrandic and Sian Murphy. And to Melanie Mununggurr,Ghenoa Gela and Shari Sebbens – thank you my cuzzies – your artistry, your biggest fiercest hearts and your friendship mean so much to me. Big thanks also to Australian Plays Transform for financially supporting this work from start to finish. What you do for Black writers in this country is exceptional and so necessary. Thank you.
CONTENT WARNING
This production contains adult themes, coarse language, depiction of natural disasters, references to domestic violence, discussion of colonial violence and racism. There are moments of dynamic sound, flashing lights, and use of smoke effects and fake cigarettes. For more information see our detailed content warnings page.
If this production raises concerns for you or someone you know, there is support available. Contact Beyond Blue (1300 224 636); Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples can contact Yarning Safe’n’Strong (1800 959 563).
DURATION
The running time for this production is approximately 90 minutes, with no interval.
Malthouse Theatre presents
BLACK LIGHT BY JADA ALBERTS
CAST
Bub Tahlee Fereday Mum Lisa Maza Aunty Rachael Maza Nan Trisha Morton-Thomas Standby Ella Ferris
CREATIVES
Director Jada Alberts Set & Costume Designer Dale Ferguson Lighting Designer Jenny Hector Composer & Sound Designer Kelly Ryall Assistant Director tomas parrish-chynoweth Dramaturg Keziah Warner Voice & Text Coach Suzanne Heywood
Scenic Art Patrick Jones LX Programmer Jamie Turner Sound Operator Eugene Mackinnon
Set & Costume Design InternTiarna McPherson
Campaign Image and Rehearsal Photography T J Garvie Production Photography Pia Johnson Hair & Make-up (Campaign Image) Nisal Atapattu, Erika Beiza Original Campaign Photography Nicole Reed
Black Light was commissioned and developed by Malthouse Theatre.
Black Light was generously supported by Australian Plays Transform through their Australian First Nations Playwrights Retreat and Development Program.
CRAIG REEVES LIZ & CHRIS SCHELL RICHARD LEONARD & GERLINDE SCHOLZ JENNIFER DARBYSHIRE & DAVID WALKER CARRILLO GANTNER AC & ZIYIN GANTNER JANINE TAI ANONYMOUS CANNY QUINE FOUNDATION
THALIA ($5,000)
JOHN & LORRAINE BATES ROSEMARY FORBES & IAN HOCKING MARY-RUTH & PETER MCLENNAN ANDREW DOMASEVICIUS & AIDA TUCIUTE MICHELE LEVINE ANNA FOLEY & DASHIELL GANTNER ANN KEMENY & GRAHAM JOHNSON AMY & PAUL JASPER ANONYMOUS CHRISTOPHER REED
MELPOMENE ($2,500)
ANONYMOUS MICHAEL KINGSTON JANE KUNSTLER ALLISON PYE ROSEMARY WALLS LEONARD VARY AM AND DR MATT COLLINS AM KC PETER TEMPLETON JON WEBSTER AM SUE PRESTNEY & PAUL GLEN J COWEN SUSANNE DAHN APS FOUNDATION
EUTERPE ($1,000)
ROGER DONAZZAN SALLY BROWNE FUND JAN WILLIAMS ANITA & GRAHAM ANDERSON MIN LI CHONG JASON CRAIG NAN BROWN JOAN & GRAME JOHNSON OAM EDWINA MACKEN CARMAN'S KITCHEN JULIE & MICHAEL LANDVOGT NANNETTE HUNTER TOM & RUTH O'DEA ROS CASEY ROD FULLER THE BRISCOE FAMILY MICHAEL RIORDAN & GEOFFREY BUSH GEORGE KOKKINOS & MELISSA TONKIN PETER & SHIRLEY WATSON DAMMERY FAMILY FOUNDATION MONICA & SAM ABRAHAMS EVELYN FIRSTENBERG BEN & NATALIE GILBERTSON SHERWOOD FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST ROGER HATTEN ANONYMOUS MARK DUCKWORTH PSM & LAUREN MOSSO ANONYMOUS
TERPSICHORE ($500)
ANN MCLAREN SUSAN MCLEAN MARY DYER STEVEN RICHARDSON ANONYMOUS JANE ALLAN ELISE CALLANDER LINDA & TIM NORMAN JEAN ROSS ROBERT & HENRY IRENE KEARSEY & M J RIDLEY KAYLENE O'NEILL PENNY WARD FIONA MAHONY BRONWEN EVANS ANDREA MEDWIN CAMERON LEWIS ABBEY-PINKERTON FAMILY PROF ROBERT NORDLINGER PETER BERRY & AMANDA QUIRK MARY-ANNE THOMAS ROSS LYONS DAVID HAMILTON JORDANA HUNTER & JACOB VARGHESE EMMA LINCOLN ALAN WONG STEPHANIE JONES LINDY HUME AM JAN BEGG AILIE FREELAND CARMODY PROF MICHAEL JEFFORD
ERATO ($250)
ANONYMOUS ANONYMOUS CHARLES & STASIA ZIKA ANONYMOUS JO WHYTE ANITA ROBERTS & BRUCE ROBERTS CHRISTINA COSTIGAN TONI SAN DIEGO ANNE O'DONOVAN AO SIMON ABRAHAMS LYNDY CLARKE JOHN DURIE ANONYMOUS GERARD & JULIE POWELL ANONYMOUS BARBARA YUNCKEN JOY BURMAN MARK LARSEN KEVIN PYLE MARGOT MCDONALD CHRIS TEH JUSTINE CHARLES JUDY MORTON ANONYMOUS GEOFF LAYTON ABIGAIL KING PETER CASH & BARBARA HOGARTH MICHELLE MASON ANONYMOUS DR ROB BROWN MICHAEL CIESIELSKI ANONYMOUS DR ROSS COLLER EMILY KLUG LUCY BEST LEIGH JOHNS OAM MONIQUE HODGKINSON MARITA DUNBAR ROGERIO PEREIRA HELEN CHAMPION ANONYMOUS DIANNE TEMBY COLIN DYER JANE JURICIC GLENN MUNARI & MARIA O'SHANNESSY DAVID JOHNSTON-BELL ANTHONY & MANDY BATTAINI LINDEN GOLDING & MICHAEL GOLDING MARGARET & BARRY VIEIRA PETER & LESLEY THOMAS ANONYMOUS PETER CROCKETT LYNN NORMAN ALICE AMES DYLAN COLE MARGARET ASTBURY JANETTE HIBBERD SHERYL BRYCE
EXECUTIVE TEAM
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & CO-CEO Vivia Hickman
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CO-CEO Dean Bryant
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jacob Varghese (Chair) Jada Alberts Jennifer Darbyshire Dr Anna Foley Alison Whyte Alan Wong
ARTISTIC & PROGRAMMING
SENIOR PRODUCER Annie Bourke PRODUCER Erica Browne CASTING DIRECTOR Rhys Velasquez, CGA NEW WORK ASSOCIATE – ARTIST DEVELOPMENT Jessica Arthur NEW WORK ASSOCIATE – SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT Keziah Warner
Paul Buckley Emily Burke Cathy Chan Ada Coxall Perri Cummings Annabelle Davy Claire Duncan Mellita Ilich Sam McDonald Christine Pearsall
EDUCATION
EDUCATION COORDINATOR Lyall Brooks
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION MANAGER Blair Hart TECHNICAL MANAGER Baird McKenna OPERATIONS MANAGER Dexter Varley HEAD ELECTRICIAN Rhys Pottinger HEAD TECHNICIAN (SOUND) Edwin Cheah
HEAD OF WARDROBE Delia Spicer WORKSHOP MANAGER Goffredo Mameli SET BUILDERS Elizabeth Whitton, Lennon Fowler
PRODUCTION STAFF
Andrew Boswell Aiden Brennan Eden Burke Taarani Charrett-Dunlop Harry Dowling Finnian Gleeson Luke Grana Jodi Hope Claudia Howarth Kara Jaeger-Pound Marcus Lew Joshua Mackenzie Eugene Mackinnon Mahi Modouris Micah Patson Darren Peet Thomas Roach Arielle Roberts Sarah Ryan Jacob Shears Gareth Sole Nathaniel Sy Nofar Szumer Menashe Darren Thao Eden Trickett Jamie Turner Em Van Dyk Lior Yaron
VENUE MANAGEMENT
FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER Dani Goder
FRONT OF HOUSE ATTENDANTS
Alice Fittock
Aljin Abella
Barney Spicer
Claire Ferguson
Hayley Wolters
James Fitzgerald
Janine Kwok
Kate Washington
Kenny Waite
Lauren Walmsley
Louisa Carpinteri
Lucy Grant
Mitch Brotz
Molly Wilson-McKenna
Ponie Curtis
Sara Norman
Sophie McCrae
Texas Nixon-Kain
Tom Gannon
Victoria Barlow
Zoë Hadler
Key Campaign Image T J Garvie Original Campaign Image Nicole Reed Production Photography Pia Johnson Rehearsal Photography T J Garvie
