1996.

John Howard has won.

Pauline Hanson is sworn in.

 

Lovia slaves away at the checkout at Franklins. Her brother Vergel, wins a spectacular role in the fabulous world of community theatre. Their father Jovy passes out under the hills hoist in the backyard of their home in the Sutherland Shire in a habitual alcoholic binge, propelled by the trauma of a crumbling democracy in the Philippines.

 

Lovia navigates the rapidly dissipating relationship between her father, while Vergel yearns to express himself under suffocating masculine expectations. Soon, Jovy’s erratic behaviour escalates, and their safety is compromised. Lovia and Vergel find close allies, former showgirl Wendy, and idealistic Franklin’s co-worker, Mitch. Both hungry to escape suburbia for a bigger picture, the one Vergel and Lovia always wanted since coming here.

Ate Lovia is a new Australian work that interrogates an evolving Australian migrant dream, and the decisions we need to make to sustain ourselves in a rapidly changing landscape.

 

Images by Clare Hawley

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Writer: Jordan Shea

Director: Kenneth Moraleda

Producers: kwento (Jana Vass, Kenneth Moraleda, Jordan Shea)

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Cast (Main): Chaya Ocampo, Joseph Raboy, Marcus Rivera, Anna Lee, Dindima Huckle-Moran

Cast (Understudy): Andrea Magpulong, Euno Orate, Michelle Masefield, Cypriana Singh, Dominique Purdue, Felino Dolloso

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Assistant Director: Nicole Pingon
Production Designer: Ruru Zhu
Lighting Designer: Martin Kinane
Composer, Sound Designer: Michael Toisuta
Choreographer: Lauren Nalty
Fight Coordinator: Tim Dashwood
Stage Manager: Sophie Jones
Filipino Language and Cultural Consultant: Happy Feraren
Dramaturgical Support: Callan Purcell
Intimacy Coordinator: Shy Magsalin
Community Engagement: Marcus Rivera and Michael Moraleda

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In partnership with RedLine Productions, supported by Create NSW, City of Sydney & Riverside National Theatre of Parramatta. THE Development of the work was supported by Shopfront Arts Co-Op Open Shop Program. 

 

Winner for 2022 BroadwayWorld Sydney Awards 

• Best Play

• Best Performer in A Play (Joseph Raboy)

• Best Lighting Design of A Play Or Musical (Martin Kinnane)

 

Nominated for 2022 BroadwayWorld Sydney Awards 

• Best New Play or Musical 

• Best Direction of A Play (Kenneth Moraleda)

• Best Performer in A Play (Chaya Ocampo)

• Best Supporting Performer In A Play (Marcus Rivera, Anna Lee, Dindima Huckle-Moran)

• Best Costume Design of A Play Or Musical (Ruru Zhu)

• Best Scenic Design Of A Play Or Musical (Ruru Zhu)

• Best Sound Design Of A Play Or Musical (Michael Toisuta)

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Nominated for 2022 Sydney Theatre Awards

• Best Performer in a Supporting Role (Marcus Rivera)

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Media:

• Review: Theatre Travels - Ate Lovia at The Old Fitz Theatre

• Review: Suzy Goes See - Ate Lovia (Old Fitz Theatre)

• Podcast: SBS - Staying loyal to family no matter how brutal life can be