You Know We Belong Together
A cast of actors use music, dance and video to tell their stories in this uplifting exploration of living with Down syndrome.
You Know We Belong Together brings the untold stories of performers with Down Syndrome to life in a heartfelt and upbeat show, inspired by performer Julia Hales' passion for the classic Australian soap opera Home and Away.
Julia Hales has watched every single episode of Australian soap opera Home and Away since it first aired in 1988, but she’s never seen another person with Down syndrome in the cast. Julia is an artist and performer, with dreams of landing a role in her favourite show and finding love.
You Know We Belong Together is a joyful celebration of community spirit and a call for greater inclusivity from a community rarely represented on stage or screen. This live documentary has had sold out seasons in Australia and is at once a universal story of love, loss and friendship, and a deeply personal exploration of the frustrations and aspirations of living with Down syndrome. All set in the famous diner at Summer Bay.
Julia and a cast of six actors from Western Australia put their own lives on stage, mixing their experiences and day-to-day realities with monologues, sketches, video, dance and song. A BSL interpreter joins the cast at the diner’s tables, becoming part of a story that is an uplifting blend of the personal and political.
A touch tour for this production is available before the 7.30pm performance on 26 August.
Part of the UK/Australia Season 2021-22, a joint initiative of the British Council and Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, supported by the UK/Australia Season Patrons, the Australian Government through the Australian Cultural Fund, the Western Australian Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the British Council
Supported through the PLACE programme
Written by Julia Hales, Finn O’Branagáin & Clare Watson
Clare Watson Director
Tyler Hill Set & Costume Designer
Joe Paradise Lui Lighting Designer
Rachael Dease Sound Designer & Composer
Michael Carmody Video Designer
Laura Boynes Movement Director
Cast includes Julia Hales, Joshua Bott, Patrick Carter, Tina Fielding, Mark Junor, Melissa Junor & Lauren Marchbank
The original production was commissioned byPerth Festival and co-produced by Perth Festival, Black Swan State Theatre Company and DADAA.
The development and presentation of the original production was supported by The Australian Council for the Arts, The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and The Blue Room Theatre.
Black Swan is proudly supported by Principal Partner Fortescue Metals Group.