'Raye is struggling, a country music star in the making. Riding her luck, she’s playing pub to pub along Australia’s vast desert highways, flogging demo CDs for ten bucks a piece until she can go home to Alice and look her son Elvis in the eye. Then Raye’s life becomes entwined with that of another wanderer and a love affair unfurls over the four-day drive to Alice Springs.
'Heart is a Wasteland sees John and Margaret Harvey combine theatre, film and live music in this intimate portrait of two travellers that cuts to the country’s heart. Two of Australia’s most revered actors, Ursula Yovich (Love and Information) and Aaron Pedersen (Water Rats, Mystery Road, Goldstone) come together to portray two achingly beautiful characters in a whiskey-fuelled battle of egos and hidden scars.
'Heart is a Wasteland is a luminous journey towards the recognition of everyone’s worthiness of, and right to, love.' (Production summary)
Produced by Malthouse Theatre, 29 June - 16 July 2017.
Direction: Margaret Harvey.
Cast: Aaron Pedersen, Ursula Yovich, and Anna Liebzeit.
Dramaturgy: Mark Pritchard.
Produced by John Harvey.
Production Design: Alison Ross.
Lighting Design: Lisa Mibus.
AV Design: Desmond Connellan.
Musical Director and Sound Design: Anna Liebzeit.
Sound Design: Steve Stelios Adam.
Songs by Lydia Fairhall.
Stage Manager: Ainsley Kerr.
Scheduled to be produced by Ilbijerri Theatre Company and tour nationally in 2021.
Production cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ilbijerri Theatre Company production revived for a seven-performance season at Browns Mart Theatre as part of the Darwin Festival, 11-15 August 2021.
Director: Rachael Maza.
Musical Arranger: Gary Watling.
'As a proud Arrernte–Arabana man, actor Aaron Pedersen believes that through his work and profile he can make inroads into uniting Australia. “We’re the only country in the Commonwealth that doesn’t have a treaty. It’s ridiculous. What are they scared of?” '
'As a proud Arrernte–Arabana man, actor Aaron Pedersen believes that through his work and profile he can make inroads into uniting Australia. “We’re the only country in the Commonwealth that doesn’t have a treaty. It’s ridiculous. What are they scared of?” '
