'The Gate to Paradise explores the life journeys of a group of Chinese students who were welcomed into Australia during Bob Hawke’s prime ministership. Forced to cope in a new and foreign country, their dreams of fortune and fame in an ‘Australian Paradise’ led a few towards happiness but most into disaster. Some stayed; some went back to China. In every case though, the path to ‘Paradise’ was long and winding. Still for many paradise was finally found, even if it wasn’t the paradise they’d first imaged. This play explores themes of love, sex, money and citizenship, while asking how one can maintain identity through the crucible personal, political and international change. ...'
Performed at Fringe Hub: Luthuanian Club- Main Theatre, North Melbourne 16 23 September 2016
Directed by Cher Coad