Media release
‘Blood on the Wattle’ arrives this January in Sydney and Bathurst region, with the kind of urgency and boldness independent or professional theatre rarely gets to claim. At a time when headlines feel like they’re shifting by the hour, this new Australian play dares to put today’s most charged issues-war, climate politics, party turmoil and shifting cultural identities-right onto the stage.
Set in a regional electorate caught between a coal mine expansion and a proposed wind farm, the story follows Karl Matters (well known Bathurst actor Vince Melton), a conservative MP whose moderate climate stance has him out of favour with his own party. Even Karl’s loyal aside Louise (Tonia Davis) is at a loss for what to do. The author wrote the play while living on the South Coast of NSW, but it has an uncanny resemblance to a town like Bathurst.
Then when Karl meets Vanya (Annishka Oksa), a newly arrived Ukrainian farmworker, their unexpected connection unravels into something far more explosive. Act Two shifts dramatically as Vanya relives the trauma and resilience of her life across Ukraine and Russia—fuel for a fierce exchange of ideas that ultimately reshapes both characters, carving out a multicultural, globally-minded vision for Australia. Through the Australian framing the show ends with a measured story of hope. Tisha Kelemen plays the dynamic role of narrator in this multi-faceted play.
Two Ukrainian consultants – Valya Geleta (Sydney) and Julitta Khlystun (Estonia) are linked to this project, in terms of script research. This play is a full re-development of a version staged in 2022.
“A worthy political play. Seismic. Tour de force.” Sydney Arts Guide
With immersive video design, a proven creative team, and Ukrainian consultants contributing directly to the script’s authenticity, ‘Blood on the Wattle’ promises a theatre experience that is gripping, contemporary and unashamedly political-in the best, most entertaining authenticity,
Saturday 31st January (7.30 PM) and Sunday 1st February 2026 (2 PM) at Gatehouse Theatre, 6 Porters Lane ,Yetholme. Tickets via TryBooking or www.playscript.net.au.
A new arts venue exists in the Bathurst region. “Gatehouse” Theatre is located at Yetholme, 22 k from Bathurst. Yetholme was a Scottish guard house on the border of Scotland and England during the 100 year war, and its name means Gatehouse. The theatre is a function room in the old “Australia Inn” building, which served from 1850 and during the Gold Rush, as an accommodation and refreshment place for travellers, especially on Cobb and Co. coaches
The theatre is located in the stables where horses and poorer travellers were housed. The venue was opened in May this year with a well attended presentation by legendary entertainer Robina Beard. It is an intimate space well suited for small theatre.
