Guns, drugs, love, war, freedom, racism and free market capitalism: Light explores our darkness through a revisionist history of the theft of Penang, the birth of Adelaide, and the rise of the British Empire.

In 1786 Francis Light claimed a Malaysian Island as British property. Fifty years later, his son William, pitched an unpopular vision for the City of Adelaide. Witness one hundred years of semi-remebered history across four continents, performed by three actors, over two hours, underlaid with a challenge: does how we remember history decide who we believe ourselves to be?

Light is a collaboration between Australian writer/director Thomas Henning [The Black Lung] and radical Malaysian Theatre makers TerryandTheCuz, who are known for breaking all the rules of theatre. This world premiere drama depicts the phenomenal story of how the irreversible impact of the actions of two generations of adventurers continue to resonate today.

Performed as part of the 2019 OzAsia Festival

“It is more a piece of art than conventional theatre. And, as one processes its emotions and imagery, it stands up as a defiantly original and provocative creation; just the sort of thing that festivals should be about.” Samela Harris, Barefoot Review

“Stripping away any romanticised view of the two cities’ origins, the play presents a fractured examination of Francis and William’s trajectories in the context of European expansionism and the opium, arms and spice trade. Importantly, it also offers a point of view from the women and non-Europeans who are left out of the standard modern retelling.” Peter Krieg Adelaide Review