Little Brother, Big Sister

We are Proud to announce Micheal tuomy's (AAV Artits) Play Little Brother, Big Sister will be playing at La Mama this June!

Drawn from the writer’s lived experience of schizophrenia, this powerful play explores the relationship between siblings who grapple to manage this condition, interrupting their urge to transform the world through art.

Michel is writing his first novel – Hipflask, his older sister Karen is in Europe turning the world into paintings. Michel’s letters take a strange turn. He now believes he can speak with Joan Miro and Franz Kafka and they are his companions. His sister Karen rushes home from overseas. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Michel is unable to accept it. Pushing her own artistic practice to the side, Karen becomes her brother’s carer, which tests but cannot destroy their strong bond.

Yet Karen has artistic dreams of her own. How long can she push them aside?

“a love letter to those diagnosed with schizophrenia and the people who care for them…a theatrical experience that does gently take you on a journey… must-see theatre.” – THEATRE TRAVELS, Casey Bohan

“thought-provoking, poignant and beautiful” – MILK BAR MAG, Joshua Judson

Content Warning: References the experience of mental illness in the form of schizophrenia.

Live Stream

Little Brother, Big Sister will also be livestreamed on Jun 9, Friday, 7:30pm. Livestream playback will be available for 72 hours.

Cast and Crew

Written by Michel Paul Tuomy

Performed by Adam Cass & Myf Powell

Directed by Cathy Hunt

Dramaturg: Peter Matheson

NDIS Arts Mentor: Tania Smith

Mad Comrade: Sandy Jeffs

Set & costume design by Kris Bird

Sound design & composition by Jess Keeffe

Lighting design (original) by Shane Grant

Lighting realisation & recreation by Giovanna Yate Gonzalez

Michel’s artworks by Michel Paul Tuomy

Karen’s artworks by Elyss McCleary

Image by Darren Gill

The Playwright’s Supporting Note –

Michel Paul Tuomy It is not my or our creative team’s intent to lead someone to have an episode due to the confronting material in Little Brother, Big Sister. Yet if someone does feel vulnerable, before coming to the play, or while you are at La Mama, we have been thinking of you. We have a quiet space outside the theatre into which to retreat, if you are in need of tranquil space, during or after the play. Emotional resolution over difficult terrain is a big theme in this play and this theme translates to how we want our audience to respond to personal details of lived experience. Our wish is that our play be a gentle journey of learning and smooth sailing, where everyone’s needs are cared for in every personal situation, before it can escalate into a predicament. Carers and consumers alike, you are all welcome into La Mama’s caring environment. Remember, we are there for our audience.

What to Expect

Download What to Expectant Little Brother Big Sister – La Mama Word Docx

This project is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.with the Support of Arts Access Victoria and Schizy Inc.