A new play discussing the tension between societal expectations and the cultural and spiritual needs of First Nations people is coming to Perth in a night of uplifting comedy.

Operation Boomerang, by Western Australian writer and actor Bruce Denny, and directed by Ian Moopa Wilkes, features a stellar cast, led by Dr Lynette Narkle, and follows Nana (played by Dr Narkle) looking to go back to Country to spend her last days, against the advice of everyone.

Boomerangs come back, but Nana is doing a runner from the old folks' home with no intention of returning.

In essence, it's a family yarn; about coming together despite differences to support family, in this case, the ageing matriarch.

Mr Denny, who has Yamatji heritage on his mother's side and Native American on his father's, told National Indigenous Times when he writes, he is either "trying to understand something" or he is "trying to explain something to myself".

He said the joint experiences of putting his "strong, independent Goldfields" mother in aged care, as well as a roleplay he did for medical students a few years ago helped shape Operation Boomerang.

"I was playing this Indigenous man who only [had been] given a couple of weeks left to live because his dialysis was failing. And so, he said, 'Well, I need to get home; I'm desperate to get back to my country,'" Mr Denny said.

When the doctors told him he must stay, the man argued: "What's the point of staying here? I need to get home on my Country."

Mr Denny said the "medicos really couldn't get their head around he accepted the fact that this time was near but decided that he needed to be on Country".

Operation Boomerang was created during Mr Denny's participation in Yirra Yaakin's Yirra Yaarnz Writers' Group in 2020, an intensive playwriting program that guides emerging Aboriginal writers to turn ideas into scripts.

He noted the play came from wanting to highlight "the importance of it [being on Country] to Indigenous people…also how we treat our elders these days, by locking them up in aged care centres".

In Mr Denny's words, the play asks: "How do you explain the importance of people to be home on Country?"

"Because I was working with white medical students, how do you get across how important it is to people [and] why?

"As the play evolved through my head and then onto the page, I thought, well, she's [Nana's] got to make this journey. She's got to get back to country."

At its heart, the play is one of compassion, as well as understanding and respect, and Mr Denny said it can appeal to anyone, especially those who have the experience helping aged relatives in their final years.

Director Ian Moopa Wilkes said Mr Denny's play "speaks to our culture" as well as the importance for "our elders to be connected to country as they face the end of their lives".

"His play is full of light and shade and confronts this important topic with humour. There is something in this play for us all – regardless of colour."

He said it was an "honour" to reunite with Dr Narkle - one of the founders of Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company - having first worked back with her in 2011.

"Many other members of our cast and team have also performed with her, been directed by her and been connected to her in the theatre over the years – this is a full-circle moment for our company," he said.

Operation Boomerang is being performed at Main Auditorium, Subiaco Arts Centre, Subiaco from 4-19 October.

Tickets and more information can be found at www.yirrayaakin.com.au