Thomas Murray and the Upside Down River, the latest work from award-winning screenwriter of Last Cab to Darwin, Reg Cribb, visits the Department of Tourism and Culture’s Araluen Arts Centre this March as part of a national tour.

“We are thrilled to present a work by an AACTA Award winning screenwriter to the Alice Springs community, especially given its setting in regional Australia,” Director of the Araluen Cultural Precinct, Dr Mark Crees said.

“We are excited that this production of Thomas Murray and the Upside Down River will include Green-room award winning performer Grant Cartwright in the title role of Thomas, after his recent performance in the ABC TV series Barracuda.

“Cartwright will be joined by Bjorn Stewart who audiences will know from his role on ABC TV’s Black Comedy.”

The story follows Thomas Murray, a fifth generation farmer in the Darling River region, who is close to throwing it all in, when his childhood friends reappear: Lucy, the daughter of a neighbouring farmer, and Billy, the Aboriginal whose father disapproves of his ‘white’ mates.

Lucy and Billy have been away for a long time and their arrival brings secrets and long-buried feelings back to the surface.

The story is based on a trip that the playwright took to the farms along the Darling River to talk to those living in an area severely affected by drought and asks its audience if there is a price to be paid for living in the ‘Lucky Country’.

“Thomas Murray is a relevant and timely exploration of questions around environmental issues such as climate change and drought as well as issues around the relationship between Aboriginal communities and the broader Australian community, especially in relation to questions of settlement, dispossession and conflict,” Dr Crees said.

“It is an entertaining, funny and accessible drama that invokes the expansive, isolating beauty of rural Australia.”

The national tour takes in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Thomas Murray and the Upside Down River will be live onstage at the Araluen Arts Centre on Saturday 17 March at 8:00pm.

Ticket prices are $49.00 for adults, $45.00 for concession and $42.00 for Araluen Arts Centre Members.

Tickets are available online at www.araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au or from the Araluen Box Office on (08) 8951 1122.

Media interview
Araluen Cultural Precinct Director, Dr Mark Crees 08 8951 1126