The Eyes of Marege and Kera Putih the White Monkey

Two plays about Indonesia and Australia by Julie Janson. Suitable in theme and content for schools. Award winning playwright and teacher creates cross cultural plays for performing in an educational or theatrical venue. There is use of Indonesian language, Yolngu language and English. Themes for The Eyes of Marege are: intercultural friendship, Islamic relationships, history. Themes for Kera Putih the white Monkey are: Balinese culture and the epic story of the Ramayana, friendship between races and protection of animals and animal liberation.

What reviewers say about EYES OF MAREGE: “A beautiful simplicity illuminates the complexities tackled by The Eyes of Marege in movement, music and words. Its cross cultural themes embrace race, religion, relationships, government bureaucracy, community and tribal loyalties. There is humour and sadness, birth and death. Its span is epic…There is no neat conclusion to the story. One can assume that two happy relationships have been split apart, along with a trade communication between cultures that survived even a killing through mutual respect..” Jill Sykes, Sydney Morning Herald 8/10/07 “The Eyes of Marege has a cast of 12 and celebrates Indonesian people coming to an island in Arnhemland and mixing with the locals. There are themes of love, a battle over a sacred item, retribution and justice.” Manly Daily 5/10/07 Jigsaw Theatre company in Canberra showcased Julie Janson's play, Kera Putih (The White Monkey) in Australian primary schools. Kera Putih, combines traditional and contemporary art forms of Indonesia to encourage an appreciation of Indonesia among young Australians. The performance, tells the story of the meeting of an Australian girl and Indonesian boy and their rediscovery of the epic Ramayana story. In Canberra, the performance toured to 23 primary schools reaching 6000 children. The Melbourne tour was in 2001. 'The Kera Putih performance assists LOTE (language other than English) Indonesian program by setting the scene of some of the cultural aspects of Indonesia, the masks, language, costumes, musical instruments, religion ... An excellent and enjoyable performance.'—Teacher evaluation.

Biography: Julie Janson Established playwright and first time novelist. Graduate of the University of NSW, MA, BA, Dip Education, University of Sydney B Visual Arts. I have written ten plays about Aboriginal Australia and Indonesia. Some are: “Black Mary” produced by Belvoir St Theatre Company B with SOCOG for the Olympic Festival of the Dreaming 1997 and Phoenix Theatre Arizona USA 1998; “Gunjies” produced at Belvoir St Theatre; “Lotus War” and the erotica play “Season to Taste” Belvoir St Theatre Downstairs, ABC Radio National and Adelaide Fringe Festival; “Eyes of Marege” 2007, Sydney Opera House Studio, a collaboration with Theatre Kita Makassar, Indonesia. Awards and residencies: BR Whiting Studio Rome, Australia Council 2013; Two Asialink Literature Residencies in Indonesia, 2001 and 2007. Australia Council Literature Board-Tyrone Guthrie Irish writers Centre Residency 2005. Developing Writer’s Fellowship, Literature Board, Australia Council. Australia Council Literature Board B R Whiting Studio Rome Fellowship 2013. The plays “Gunjies and Black Mary” published by Aboriginal Studies Press 1996 and available on Amazon.com. The play “Gunjies” received Highly Commended Human Rights Award. The play “The Crocodile Hotel” shortlisted for the Griffin Award and the Patrick White Award. I am a member of the Buruburongal clan of the Aboriginal Darug Nation from the Hawkesbury River in New South Wales.