Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company is starting the 2025 season with its first main stage production, bringing the world premiere of their exciting new work, Thirst, to Subiaco Arts Centre from April 29th to May 10th. The piece, which was written by Western Australian playwright, artist, and academic Barbara Hostalek and directed by Artistic Director Maitland Schnaars, is described as a funny, tender romantic comedy full of song and heart.
Synopsis
Thirst follows Lola, a former popstar, and her entrepreneurial long-term partner and bandmate Chico. After inheriting The Glass Slipper Tavern from Lola’s estranged uncle, they find themselves settling down in the country with a pub in their hands, something neither of them ever envisioned for their future. Set in rural Western Australia, the tavern is the only pub for miles, nestled amongst canola fields and cattle farms in the Yellow Springs district. With limited funds and a tavern that desperately needs repair, can a karaoke night fundraiser with the help of Roxy, a savvy barmaid with hidden talents, save this pub? Full of heart and humour, Thirst explores why some people leave, some stay, and some ultimately return to regional towns.
You can learn more about the play at the Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company.
The Journey
Emerging from the Yirra Yaarnz Writers’ Group, a program that creates a supportive environment for Aboriginal playwrights to develop their script-writing skills, Thirst initially developed during this ten-week program. The performance was then further developed at the 2023 Yirra Yaakin Playwriting Festival, where First Nations playwrights are welcomed to develop their stories from page to stage. After that, Hostalek decided to take it into a two-year development process, bringing it to the main stage. Inspired by Hostalek’s love of karaoke, Thirst features plenty of it — think music, energy, and heartfelt moments.
Other Works
Being the third production Hostalek had done with Yirra Yaakin Theatre, there’s a chance you’ve heard of some of her other pieces before. In 2018, Hostalek’s award-nominated play Banned premiered at The Blue Room Theatre as a part of Perth favourite, Fringe World. In 2019, the company and playwright worked together on Cracked, the company’s first main stage production. According to Hostalek, “If you want to have a great night out, come and see Thirst, come and have a sing-song with the crew!”
Reviews
“I fell in love with the characters and the world–the dry-as-chips Aboriginal pub owner, his former pop-star wife who has lost her voice, a CWA karaoke night with no karaoke machine in sight, and a barmaid in love with the best inseminator of the district–priceless.”- Fi Clarke, audience member from the Playwriting Festival
“Hostalek hones in on the core of country life–the pub teetering on the edge of closing down, the host of well-drawn characters trying to save it, and the young people considering their future in the fading town.”- audience member
Tickets
For a night out that’s guaranteed to leave you feeling entertained and smiling, purchase your tickets for the funny and tender romantic comedy Thirst, and experience this world premiere at the Subiaco Arts Centre!
