A Lingua Franca production

By Mary Anne Butler

with original live music by Smith & Jones

A woman. A dog. A campervan. And 4,500km of wide open road.

Mot wakes up one morning to find that her heart is missing from her chest. She can breathe; she has a pulse— but she feels… nothing.

So, she decides to go and look for it. With her dog enlisted as co-pilot, Mot heads down the Highway of Lost Hearts: into the deepest core of the Australian outback—navigating red dirt landscapes, fire and flood, brittle dryness, vast salt lakes, age-old mountains and murky waters filled with lost souls.

“…makes one ponder matters of the heart that go beyond the world of the play… A truly exceptional production that is winsome, lyrical and at times even transcendent. This outstanding production is not to be missed.” - Suzie Gibson, artshub.com.au

An allegory for a country that’s lost its heart, Highway of Lost Hearts, by award-winning Darwin playwright Mary Anne Butler, is half gritty road journey, half magic realism and all heart. It leaves you pondering the question: when your heart goes missing, what lengths will you go to in order to find it again? A truly regional story!

Recommended age: 12+

Reviews:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

“The grief, loss and humour of this play is transformed into a memorable and resplendent experience that is achieved through the relationship between monologist Smith and two female musicians, who in unison bring an enchanting dimension to a narrative that makes one ponder matters of the heart that go beyond the world of the play. This outstanding production is not to be missed.” - Arts Hub

“… as humorous as it is gut-wrenching… very relatable.” - Lip Mag

“The storytelling is captivating, with an unmistakable Australian flavour” Stage Whispers

Playwright

MARY ANNE BUTLER

Performer

KATE SMITH

Live Original Music

SMITH & JONES

Director

ADAM DEUSIEN

Designer

ANNEMAREE DALZIEL

Lighting & Technical Designer

BECKY RUSSELL

Set Designers

ANNEMAREE DALZIEL & BECKY RUSSELL

State Manager

MADELAINE OSBORN

Start your theatre experience with a sumptuous 3 Course Meal at Deco Wine Bar & Restaurant. 

If the Dinner or lunch is available in conjunction with the show you are seeing then the Dinner Deal will pop up during your online sales transaction.

Deco Dinner as an add on to your show ticket goes off sale the morning of the performance for weekday shows and off sale on Friday mornings for the weekend events. Please contact Deco Wine Bar & Restaurant directly on 6766 7260 to make a reservation after this time.