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2026
Back to Bilo
A Belloo Production
A remarkable true story of resilience, belonging and the power of community.
Priya and Nades left war-torn Sri Lanka and found each other in regional Queensland. The Biloela community welcomed them with open arms, until four years later a knock at the door changed everything. In a pre-dawn raid, they were taken from their home.
Their story could have ended there. Instead, a determined group of Biloela women refused to let them disappear, standing alongside the young family and galvanising thousands of ordinary Australians to demand their return to Bilo.
Following a sold-out season in Brisbane and multiple award nominations, Back to Bilo comes to Darwin with a dynamic combination of original music, stunning projection and deeply human storytelling.
Continue the story beyond the stage. To go deeper, you can also explore:
Priya and Nades left war-torn Sri Lanka and found each other in regional Queensland. The Biloela community welcomed them with open arms, until four years later a knock at the door changed everything. In a pre-dawn raid, they were taken from their home.
Their story could have ended there. Instead, a determined group of Biloela women refused to let them disappear, standing alongside the young family and galvanising thousands of ordinary Australians to demand their return to Bilo.
Following a sold-out season in Brisbane and multiple award nominations, Back to Bilo comes to Darwin with a dynamic combination of original music, stunning projection and deeply human storytelling.
Continue the story beyond the stage. To go deeper, you can also explore:
- The ABC Australian Story episode, revisiting the Nadesalingam family and their journey
- A Radio National interview with the creators and campaigners behind Back to Bilo
Suitability & warnings
Please note
Contains mature content and themes such as war, detention and children in distress. Suitable for ages 14+
Social media
Credits & acknowledgements
Writer Katherine Lyall-Watson
Director Caroline Dunphy
Original Concept Matt Scholten
Dramaturg Dr Kathryn Kelly
Production Designer (Set & Lighting) Govin Ruben
Costume & Props Designer Keerthi Subramanyam
Composer & Sound Designer Guy Webster
Composer Menaka Thomas
Video Designer Mic Gruchy
Tamil Cultural & Language Consultant Vashini Jayakumar
Tamil Cultural Consultant Sudhesh Somu
Assistant Director Janaki Gerard
Videographer (Biloela Video Content) Shaun Charles
Design Associate (Set) Max Bowyer
Associate Video Designer Jeremy Gordon
Director Caroline Dunphy
Original Concept Matt Scholten
Dramaturg Dr Kathryn Kelly
Production Designer (Set & Lighting) Govin Ruben
Costume & Props Designer Keerthi Subramanyam
Composer & Sound Designer Guy Webster
Composer Menaka Thomas
Video Designer Mic Gruchy
Tamil Cultural & Language Consultant Vashini Jayakumar
Tamil Cultural Consultant Sudhesh Somu
Assistant Director Janaki Gerard
Videographer (Biloela Video Content) Shaun Charles
Design Associate (Set) Max Bowyer
Associate Video Designer Jeremy Gordon
Associate Lighting Designer Suzy Brookes
Foyer Installation Artist Charlotte Haywood
Accent Coach Melissa Agnew
Tamil Language Consultant Dr Gunalan Shanmuganathan
Clinical Psychologist Katharine Knoetze
Produced by Performing Lines
Producer (Belloo) Kristen Maloney
Cast
Bronwyn Liz Buchanan
Accent Coach Melissa Agnew
Tamil Language Consultant Dr Gunalan Shanmuganathan
Clinical Psychologist Katharine Knoetze
Produced by Performing Lines
Producer (Belloo) Kristen Maloney
Cast
Bronwyn Liz Buchanan
Nades Sahil Saluja
Simone Sarah McIntosh
Angela Sarah Ogden
Uru Menaka Thomas
Priya Janaki Gerard
Photo Stephanie Coombes
Supported by
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This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc commissioned by Brisbane Festival, Darwin Festival, Perth Festival and Queensland Theatre Company. -
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