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In the tapestry of life, every thread has a story to tell. 'Counting and Cracking,' a poignant narrative woven from the lives of many, is a testament to the power of storytelling. This journey through five decades and four generations of a Sri Lankan family, from the bustling streets of Colombo to the vibrant city of Sydney, is a narrative that transcends fiction.
How does one understand their identity without knowing their past? This is the question that plagued S. Shaky Darin, the Tamil Australian playwright and co-director of 'Counting and Cracking.' At 18 months old, he arrived in Australia with his mother, who remained silent about their family history. It wasn't until his late 20s that Shaky embarked on a journey to discover his roots, a journey that would shape his play.
The play delves into the heart-wrenching displacement and trauma of fleeing Sri Lanka during the 1983 Black July pogrom. Shaky's mother, Nanda Valy, left her homeland as the war began, a decision that echoes poignantly on stage. "What's that like seeing that reflected on stage? Very hard," Shaky reflects, emphasizing the universality of such experiences. "It can happen and it's still happening in other parts of the world."
The walls of Shaky's Western Sydney home are adorned with family memories from both Sri Lanka and Australia. These photographs are more than just images; they represent the good old days, the times when Shaky wore clothes chosen by his mother. These moments, captured in time, inspired half of the characters in the play, with the other half drawn from the wider diaspora.
Shaky's journey with his mother, an internationally renowned dancer, choreographer, and teacher, was a journey of discipline and rebellion. While he followed in her footsteps, he also rebelled against the constraints of an iron shirt. "We both believe in discipline and rigor," Shaky notes, "but sometimes the integrity of wearing an iron shirt gets too much for me."
'Counting and Cracking' defies the traditional divide between comedy and drama, reflecting the complexities of human experience. "Humans are three-dimensional beings," Shaky asserts, "and we use joy and laughter to guide us through the saddest times." The play made its debut at the Sydney Festival in 2019 and has since captivated audiences with its universal depiction of conflict and displacement.
The play's successful run in Melbourne and Sydney is a prelude to its next destination: New York's Public Theater. Shaky hopes that 'Counting and Cracking' will continue to help other families explore their own past. "It happened between my mother and I," he shares, "because my mother said this play was a very stupid idea. She tried her hardest to stop it, and now she's so proud of it."
In the end, 'Counting and Cracking' is a tale of generational healing, a journey that has transformed the lives of many. It is a story that resonates deeply, a narrative that invites us to reflect on our own histories and the stories we have yet to tell.
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