After her most recently acclaimed performance in Scenes From a Climate Era, Kalkadoon woman Abbie-Lee Lewis is returning in 2023.
Ms Lewis is directing 'An Ox Stand On My Tongue', by Jane Montomgery Griffiths.
Together, the pair undertake a reinterpretation of infamous sisters navigating a world of men, the kitchen and all things domestic.
'An Ox Stand On My Tongue' asks what it would sound like if these women got to tell their story today and their history from their own perspective, what compelled them to justify – or to suppress – the experiences they had endured.
The play about two women who try to be well behaved, to be the perfect housewife, but who become the world's most notorious adulterer and husband-killer.
"An ox stand on my tongue will be bold, sexy and dark. We're exploring the art of the tease in the rehearsal room," said Ms Lewis.
"Focusing on heightened language and the juxtaposition of the mythical and the mundane. We want to excite you but you might leave wanting another bite."
Ms Lewis notes she is hopeful the idea of reentering the piece through the lens of BIPOC women is portrayed the way the intends.
She told National Indigenous Times: "It's more about 'What happens when you put a Kaldadoon Aboriginal woman, a Samoan and African American woman in the same room - what happens when we take on infamous characters from the western literature?'"
"These high stakes in the writing, I think Black-fullas know all too well.
"Not necessarily murdering husbands, but being victims of circumstance and having to find ways to survive and staying true to yourself culturally."
In 2021, Lewis and Montgomery Griffiths crossed paths during their involvement in Bell Shakespeare's nationwide tour of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
During a 10-week lockdown period, their connection grew stronger as they shared interests in the Spice Girls and Megan Thee Stallion.
This bond laid the foundation for their collaboration, with Lewis now taking the directorial role for the debut of Montgomery Griffiths' award-winning script from 2011, honored with the RE Ross Award.
"These women are trapped not by mythology, but by the inescapability of their own and others' behaviours and impulses," said Montgomery Griffiths.
"Audiences will understand this without having to know the intricacies of the Ancient Greek context from which these sisters come."
The show is scheduled to run from September 20 to October 8, 2023, with performances at different times throughout the week.
Attendees can catch the show at 25a, Downstairs Belvoir in the Belvoir St Theatre and ticket prices are set at $20 - $25, making this an accessible cultural experience.
