The GREATER SUNRISE is a fictional dramatisation inspired by the real events of Australia’s involvement in East Timor in 2004.  Playwright Zoe Hogan has drawn on her own experiences living and working in Timor-Leste, as well as conversations, interviews and research.

The play coincides with the current landmark agreement being signed at the United Nations, by Australia and East Timor, to share revenue from the $50 billion Greater Sunrise oil and gas field in the Timor Sea.  Recommendations by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, who are overseeing negotiations between the neighbouring countries, should be released in mid April, 2018.

The play revolves around Joana, (Cassandra Sorrell), an aid worker from Australia – a Chinese National, who was born in East Timor.  On the pending arrival of the Australian Foreign Minister, Joana knows that the Australian government has placed a listening bug in Timor-Leste’s Presidential cabinet room, to gain advantage in negotiations over resources in the Timor Sea.  Australia then drew a line in the Timor Sea and decided which part was theirs and it included an oilfield called Greater Sunrise. It reaped billions of dollars, none of which was given to the Timorese nation.

In her search for justice, Joana investigates the truth through a series of one-to-one conversations with the other five characters – interspersed throughout  the play.

Meta, (her Timorese friend and ally), helps Joana take money to the local people in return for their support.  Meta and Jose (a Timorese activist) are both played by Jose Da Costa, who speaks his native language and English, which brings a warm ambience to the struggling independent nation that we are learning about.

She also meets up with a Human Rights Lawyer, and Steve, a highly-paid American power broker (both played effectively by Laurence Coy).  Australian fellow aid worker Mike (Alexander Stylianou) is a challenge for Joana and is forthright and highly opinionated.  

Both actors Sorrell and Stylianou bring great energy to the stage and Sorrell’s subtlety and talent carries the production. Writer Zoe Hogan and Director Julia Patey have created a production that is thought-provoking, and an insight into the greed and exploitation of smaller, vulnerable countries.

GREATER SUNRISE is the first show in the inaugural season of 25A – Belvoir’s new low-cost independent theatre initiative.  It plays at the Downstairs Theatre, Belvoir St.  [ Facebook] until the 21st of April, 2018.