The first performances marking the three-year partnership between Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company and the Western Australian Museum will take place today at the WA Museum – Perth.

WA Museum chief executive Alec Coles said the Kaarla Kaatijin performances provide a wonderful opportunity for audiences to experience traditional Aboriginal stories presented in a contemporary way.

“I’m delighted the WA Museum and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company have formed such a positive relationship,” Mr Coles said.

“This is a great way to demonstrate that museum experiences can be authentic without always being about physical collections. It is also an important way to acknowledge the historic and contemporary dimensions of Aboriginal culture.

“The WA Museum is a very appropriate place for Aboriginal voices to be heard and a place where we all can reflect on our own identity and our collective past, present and future.”

Kaarla Kaatijin (which in Noongar means to ‘understand fire’) is based on a Noongar Dreamtime story of how fire came to the land. The performance follows the plight of the birds and animals of the land who had suffered such an endless, icy winter that together they decided to undertake a dangerous and brave mission to catch ‘Kaarla’ (fire) and bring it back to warm the land once more.

Rich in storytelling and with beautifully written characters, Kaarla Kaatijin builds on Yirra Yaakin’s excellent reputation for high quality Aboriginal theatre for young people. This uniquely Western Australian story celebrates local culture and heritage in a refreshingly youthful and vibrant way.

The performances will take place during the school holiday period, closing on Friday, 3 May. Tickets are available online at museum.wa.gov.au/whats-on/kaarla-kaatijin

Media contact:
Niki Comparti
Western Australian Museum
6552 7805, niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au