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Description: On February 7th 2009, Australia was ravaged by firestorms equaling the energy of 1500 atomic bombs…
Fresh from an acclaimed season at the Edinburgh & Adelaide Fringe Festivals, The Day the Sky Turned Black makes its US debut at the New York International Fringe Festival. Written and performed by Ali Kennedy Scott, the play chronicles the poignant stories of everyday heroes who fought the ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires, now known as Australia’s greatest natural disaster.
As fires sweep through the tinder dry country at speed, residents prepare for the usual summer bushfire season, unaware of the magnitude of the coming fires. By day’s end, 173 people are dead, whole towns are decimated. By week’s end, over a million acres of land are razed to the ground and arson is suspected.
Through first person narrative, intermixed with on-the spot news reports, The Day the Sky Turned Black follows the lives of five characters; Kerry, Mabel, Heidi, Gillian and six year-old Aiden who loves nothing better than doing tricks on his BMX and smushing Caramello Koalas into yummy chocolate balls.
Based on interviews with survivors, journalists and a global arson expert, the play charts each character’s personal journey from before the fire’s arrival, to their return home and the rebuilding of their lives. Their inspirational stories show the strength and courage of the human spirit when pitted against Mother Nature at her worst.
