Celebrating his 80th birthday, William Yang, one of Australia’s most revered visual and performance artists, reflects on his remarkable life in Milestone.
Drawing on his vast collection of documentary photographs and poignant personal reminiscences, Yang weaves together themes of family, cultural and sexual identity with his signature blend of warmth, disarming humour and total candour.
Set against Elena Kats-Chernin’s haunting score, performed live by a chamber ensemble, Milestone is the life of a Chinese-Australian artist chronicling queer stories in Australia, from the early days of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 90s.
Above all, from his viewpoint as the last of his generation, Milestone is Yang contemplating the importance of family and the ties binding relations all around the world.
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
"Yang has produced a body of work that speaks a universal language, inviting us to forget about those differences that are only skin deep and reflect on the things that are truly important."
Performances
Friday 10 January, 7:30pm
Saturday 11 January, 7:30pm
Roslyn Packer Theatre (The Thirsty Mile) 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Duration 130 mins
TICKETS
Creator/Performer/Co-director William Yang
Composer/Pianist Elena Kats Chernin
Dramaturg/Co-director Tessa Leong
Conductor Simon Bruckard
Production Manager Neil Simpson
Technical Director Daniel Herten
Producer Fenn Gordon for Tandem
Auspiced by Performance Space
SUPPORTED BY
Tadem Works would like to thank and acknowledge project funding and support provided by Asia TOPA, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Festival and Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (CAAP).
William Yang would also like to acknowledge Creative Australia and City of Sydney.
Thank you to Lyle Chan & Jackie Thomas-Piccardi; Jeff Khan, Tam Nguyen & the Asia TOPA team; Olivia Ansell, Rosa Coyle-Howard & the Sydney Festival team; Sandi Woo & the CAAP team.
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Photo credit: George Gittoes
