Co-hosted by the Chinese Museum and Next Wave Festival 

"High-wattage performances from the cast energise this glamorous and inventive experimental work, which combines upbeat comedy and political soap with an interactive examination of contemporary issues in Australian politics and society..." - The Age

This was the work of talented Creatives, Roshelle Fong & Keziah Warner.  Poona, the play, helped bring the Museum alive again post lockdowns with the casts' energetic dress rehearsals and 11 dynamic performances to a sold out crowd. 

Artists in the show. Photo credit to Theresa Harrison. 

Audience voting during the show. Photo credit to Theresa Harrison. 

Main cast Poona Li Hung (by Elsa Tuet-Rosenberg). Photo credit to Theresa Harrison. 

Click here to read the reviews 

Liminal interview

The Age review

Continue reading below, for more on the show, Poona. 

Welcome to 2050.

Group shot of the artists. Photo credit to Theresa Harrison. 

The country is witnessing one of the tightest presidential runs in history, with one-time underdog, independent party candidate Poona Li Hung, now an unlikely frontrunner.

In 1997, the controversial book, Pauline Hanson: The Truth, imagined Australia in the year 2050, run by Poona, a “lesbian… of Indian and Chinese background” and… a cyborg. Multidisciplinary artist Roshelle Fong and playwright Keziah Warner bring Poona to life in this necessary and timely interactive theatre work.

As a Poona staffer on the campaign trail, only you can navigate the election cycle to determine your candidate’s future. Fasten your ‘Vote Poona’ badge, collect that last-minute polling data, and brace yourself – will Poona be voted Cyborg in Chief? The fate of the nation is up to you.

Season

11 May - 23 May, 2021

Location

Level 2 Arts Space, Museum of Chinese Australian History, 22 Cohen Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000

The event will take place in an upstairs exhibition space, which is wheelchair accessible via elevator.

Dates & Times

Tue 11 May 8:00 PM (Preview)
Wed 12 May 8:00 PM (Preview)
Fri 14 May 8:00 PM
Sat 15 May 2:00 PM, 8:00 PM (Auslan interpreted performances)
Sun 16 May 7:00 PM
Tue 18 May 8:00 PM
Wed 19 May 8:00 PM
Thu 20 May 8:00 PM
Fri 21 May 8:00 PM
Sat 22 May 2:00 PM, 8:00 pm (Auslan interpreted performances)
Sun 23 May 7:00 PM

Run time: 90 Mins

Venue capacity: 15 patrons

Poona was commissioned by Next Wave for Next Wave Festival 2020 through Kickstart and is presented in association with the Museum of Chinese Australian History. Supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program.