‘David v Goliath’: Biloela family’s immigration ordeal hits the stage
By Nick Dent
Katherine Lyall-Watson’s first visit to Biloela is one she’ll never forget.
It was June 10, 2022, and she was at Thangool Aerodrome to witness the return of the Murugappan family to their adopted home – four years after they were taken into immigration detention.
“People were in tears before the plane even landed,” Lyall-Watson said.
The Murugappan family and Angela Fredericks arrive at the Thangool Aerodrome in June 2022.Credit: Dan Peled/Getty Images
“It was Harry, who is Kopika’s friend – the elder daughter – he was the one who spotted the plane first, and then we all saw it.
“It landed, and Priya and Nades stepped out and waved, everybody was just shouting in delight, and Priya just went down to the ground and kissed the earth.”
A party at the ANZAC Club followed, and two days later, the younger child, Tharnicaa, celebrated her fifth birthday – her first out of detention – where the guests included a multitude of journalists.
“Australia was so hungry to see this moment of happiness because we’d seen so much pain for this family for so long. It was incredibly special.”
Lyall-Watson is the playwright of Back to Bilo, which opens at Queensland Theatre’s Bille Brown Theatre on September 3.
She and director Caroline Dunphy have been working on the piece for four years, and describe it as “a classic David-versus-Goliath tale”.
Caroline Dunphy (director) and Katherine Lyall-Watson (playwright).Credit: Vanessa van Delsen
Sri Lankan asylum seekers Priya and Nades and their daughters were removed from Biloela in central Queensland by Border Force officers in March 2018.
Three local women – Angela Fredericks, Bronwyn Dendle and Simone Cameron – spearheaded a campaign to bring them home.
All five have been deeply involved in the play’s development – even attending rehearsals.
“This is a verbatim play; it’s based on hundreds of hours of interviews,” Lyall-Watson said.
“They’ve had a chance to tell the story in their own words.”
Back to Bilo condenses a four-year ordeal and campaign into a punchy 80 minutes.
Priya and Nades with the actors who are playing them on stage: Matt Domingo and Leah Vandenberg. Credit: Shaun Charles
“Theatre is quite different to a documentary or a book, you have to streamline a lot of the material,” Dunphy said.
Priya and Nades are being played by Leah Vandenberg and Matt Domingo, both of whom have Sri Lankan heritage.
“They’re a natural fit, and were both really keen to spend time with Priya and Nades themselves,” Dunphy said.
There have been several drafts of the script, with Dunphy and Lyall-Watson making repeated visits to Biloela to share versions with the community via readings at the ANZAC Club.
A large Biloelan contingent will attend the play’s opening night – including Priya and Nades.
“They’re bringing their girls, but the girls won’t come to see the show because it wouldn’t be suitable for them. They’ve lived through enough trauma without having to see it again,” Lyall-Watson said.
What most struck her about Priya and Nades is their apparent lack of bitterness or resentment for what they’ve been through.
“They are genuinely so happy to be back in Bilo, growing their own fruit and veg, starting up their own food truck, and serving their food to the community.
“The reason they want this play [staged] is they don’t want other asylum seekers to have to go through what they’ve been through.”
Back to Bilo runs at the Bille Brown Theatre, September 3-16, as part of Brisbane Festival.
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