"The children's musical play titled "Ship of Dreams" was written by Mary Durack for the young people of Broome as a celebration of the town's multi racial history, set in the late nineteen sixties. How the children, while being mostly unaware of the huge social changes occurring elsewhere in the world (the death of Martin Luther King, the sexual revolution, the changing attitudes towards the Vietnam War, the growth of the womens movement, psychedelia, and Indigenous Australians had were finally included in the census and given civil rights) were blissfully unaware that the worlds problems, largely based on a social divides of colour, race, sex and religion was being solved by them by sharing: their dreams, friends and fun."
"The play did enable many young Broome kids of the time to go on and chase their dreams with a large number of the original cast going on to make it in the visual, performing arts and health industries. "
"The play generated another dream by the civic fathers and mothers of the time. Based on the success of the original play, they thought that it would be a good idea to have an annual event that created some fun in the town while encouraging more people to visit and enjoy the amazing natural environment and lifestyle. Broome was going through a slump at the time, the pearling industry was almost non existent, only the most dedicated adventurer braved the dirt road to drive here, the Broome Meatworks was the main source of employment and industry, only the time wealthy could afford the long journey for a holiday. The very first of the entrepreneurs and speculators were beginning to express an interest in the town."
"The civic parents decided to create an annual festival and Shinju Matsuri was born."
"This year is the 40th anniversary of the original production of the play in Broome."
"It has a cast of over 120 children and about 10 adults."
While we have received generous support from Be Active, Healthway, Artswa, and Regional Arts Australia a show of this proportion is and expensive beast. We welcome any financial or inkind support eg. Building materials, access to free skilled labour to help with construction, donation or loans of traditional costumes such as Malay, Japanese, Indian, Indonesian, Philippine, Chinese and other Asian countries, dance instructors from those countries, the loan of pearling paraphernalia that dates from pre 1960's which the community may offer. Theatre Kimberley is a not for profit organisation and any donations to the organisation over two dollars can be claimed as a tax deduction. Alternatively we can discuss mutually agreeable sponsorship deals with anyone wanting to come on board as key sponsors."
Chris Hill will wave his magic wand and create a whole new space that will delight the audience."
We would be interested in hearing from cast members of the 1968. 1969 (Perth) and 1983 productions as we are collecting information for a historical presentation at this years production and hopefully delivery to the Broome Historical society.
We will be holding theatre workshops for children to prepare them for audition from late April, Rehearsals will start in may 2008