Which Way Home by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company

Shaquita Nannup (as Tash) and Derek Nannup (as Tash's Father)
Photo Credit: Danna Weeks

On a pleasant autumn’s evening, I headed to the Subiaco Arts Centre to watch Which Way Home by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company.

Which Way Home is a play about daughter Tash and her father who set out on a road trip from home to Country. Interestingly, the actors for Dad (Derek Nannup - Bindjareb/Wadandi) and Tash (Shaquita Nannup - Bindjareb/Ballardong) are father and daughter in real life!

Writer Katie Beckett (Murriwarri/Yuggerah) explores themes that are dear to everyone’s heart - including the special nature of the father daughter bond, the influence of family upbringing seen from a child (who is now a grown up adult), perspectives on parenthood and the age old question of where exactly is home? 

Which Way Home is both lighthearted and deep -  the portrayed road trip is fun and we get to understand the synergies of the father daughter duo as they travel to Country on their journey.

There is an affectionate and strong loving bond between Tash and her father, yet underneath all that bantering and teasing there are also some issues that have never been resolved, and topics that remain untouched due to the heavy nature of them – death and grief  - deep emotions that touch our heart which we can all relate to regardless of one’s cultural and social background.

Which Way Home directed by Cezera Critti–Schnaars (Nyaki-Nyaki) has hit both light and heavy chords in a play that is relatable and timeless for all. Its humour is playful and the heartiness of the loud laughs that cascaded amongst the audience was infectious. Conversely, the silence between the words and the deeper conversations that ensued between father and daughter also resonated and left me to reflect on my own life experiences of love and grief.

Sitting in the audience of Which Way Home is a warm and inviting place to be – watching the loving bond between father and daughter and enjoying their banter, and laughing at their inside jokes was a heart warming experience.

What a banger of an opening night in the surrounds of the cosy studio at Subiaco Arts Centre watching Becketts’ play that is brimming over with a whole of lot of heart.

Which Way Home performed by the Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company is on at the Subiaco Arts Centre until the 9 May.

If you enjoyed this article, please share it!

To find out about the hottest events in Perth, follow us on Insta @PerthWalkabout