As he prepares to share Flow, a contemporary and ancient First Nations story about rediscovering culture and identity while utilising the beauty of the Clarence River with his friends and family in the audience for the first time on Yaegl Country, writer and performer Mitch King, a proud Yaegl and Bundjalung man, said he feels incredibly privileged.

“The strength and integrity of this story, and what it means to our people, it’s very special to me, and I am really looking forward to bringing it home,” he said.

“That was always on the cards, ever since Flow was first performed a few years ago.

“To perform at home, on country, it will be beautiful.”

Presented by NORPA, Flow is an outdoor theatrical experience which is told through a variety of different mediums including dance, poetry, vocalisation, video projection, and traditional music.

Flow also shares the stories passed down by Elders to younger generations, while acknowledging the important connections to country.

“These stories, it’s super important that they are passed on,” Mr King explained.

“They are stories I grew up listening to, and to have the chance to retell them and share them with the Elders and custodians on Yaegl Country, and the rest of my mob in the crowd, it makes me feel very proud.”

Mr King will be joined on stage by acclaimed sound artist Blake Rhodes, and the performance will also feature work by beloves Yaegl artist Frances Belle Parker.

Directed by Angourie local Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal, whose innovative creativity and extraordinary attention to detail helps carry the spirituality of Flow while entwining the storytelling with the heritage of the majestic Clarence Valley.

“Jade is incredible to work with,” Mr King said.

“She’s very motivating, and she uses her strengths as a dancer and choreographer in her role as the director, which is awesome to watch.”

Flow will be performed at the Maclean Showground on November 16 and 17.

Gates open at 6:15pm each night with the main performance to commence at 8pm.

Admission is free, but attendees are required to book their tickets online at www.norpa.org.au.

“If you haven’t got a ticket yet, you’d better hurry up and get one,” Mr King said.

“Come down and have some fun and enjoy yourself.”

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 8 November 2023.