About

As told by Edgell Junior

A tiny girl finds strength to survive the wildest of winds and raging rivers in this triumphant true tale from South Australia’s own trailblazing theatre company Slingsby.

Do you know the story of the river that ran uphill? With a cyclone at its centre, this is a story of the collision between nature and humanity set in the Pacific Islands. Our young protagonist demonstrates courage in the face of adversity to remind us how important it is to come together as a community in our weakest moments. It’s a story that shows audiences, young and old, how the seemingly impossible can become possible when we work together.

In 2015, Cyclone Pam ravaged the South Pacific. Edgell Junior, a Ni-Vanuatu man from Pentecost Island and member of Slingsby’s Flying Squad ensemble, experienced and survived Cyclone Pam and its aftermath. Based on his lived experience, this moving production emphasises the real importance of community cooperation and resilience.

The River That Ran Uphill drops the audience in the eye of the storm. As the waters rise, this story carries forward a message of warning and, perhaps, a raft of hope.

Touring

Adelaide Festival (1-6 March 2023)
Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre

General Public

– Wednesday 1 March, 6.30pm
– Friday 3 March, 6.30pm
– Saturday 4 March, 2pm and 6.30pm

School’s performances (Year levels 4-12)

– Thursday 2 March, 10am and 12.30pm
– Friday 3 March, 12.30pm
– Monday 6 March, 10am and 12.30pm

In Schools
Touring to metropolitan schools throughout Term 1 (excluding 27 February – 8 March, 2023) and regional schools from March 7 to April 14, 2023.

Book here

Image by Emma Luker

Meet the creative team

Edgell Junior Edgell

Flying Squad Member

Edgell is a proud Ni-Vanuatu man (from Pentecost Island), now living in Adelaide. From 2011 - 2019, Edgell was a core ensemble member of internationally renowned Wan Smolbag Theatre (Port Vila, Vanuatu), who work year round, producing, devising and touring plays, films, short videos, workshops programs and educational recourses.

Edgell is a proud Ni-Vanuatu man (from Pentecost Island), now living in Adelaide. From 2011 – 2019, Edgell was a core ensemble member of internationally renowned Wan Smolbag Theatre (Port Vila, Vanuatu), who work year round, producing, devising and touring plays, films, short videos, workshops programs and educational recourses.

Alexis West

Flying Squad Member

Alexis West is a Birri Gubba, Wakka Wakka, South Sea Islander and White Australian woman living on Kaurna Country. She is a writer, director, collaborator and performer in film, theatre, poetry, dance and events.

Alexis West is a Birri Gubba, Wakka Wakka, South Sea Islander and White Australian woman living on Kaurna Country. She is a writer, director, collaborator and performer in film, theatre, poetry, dance and events. Alexis is passionate about First Nation voices, the stories of people with disability, oppression, diversity and collaboration. She has worked as an Artistic Director with Karrikarrinya Theatre Collective, co-written with Elena Carapetis for the State Theatre of South Australia, written and collaborated for Kurruru Youth Arts and No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability. A single parent of now adult sons. She is silly, introverted, nerdy, inappropriate, obnoxious, thoughtful and fun (with likeminded people).

Jennifer Stefanidis

Flying Squad Member

Jennifer Stefanidis (στις Έλληνες, Ευγενία Στεφανίδη) is a multidisciplinary Greek-Australian artist and performer. Bringing with her a strong background in singing, she trained as an actor within the Flinders Drama Centre under the leadership of Tom Healey and Renato Musolino. Jennifer has expressed a keen interest in devised work both onstage and onscreen, and is enthusiastic to expand upon her musicianship, as well as her capabilities as a dramaturg and theatre-maker.

Delia Olam

Flying Squad Member

Delia Olam is an award-winning actor/dancer, director, singer-songwriter, mum of 3, theatre designer, and playwright who has collaborated locally and internationally since graduating.

Delia Olam is an award-winning actor/dancer, director, singer-songwriter, mum of 3, theatre designer, and playwright who has collaborated locally and internationally since graduating. For over a decade, Olam has created and toured diverse cabaret works with live original music elements. Sharing stories that empower and unite are Delia’s “raison d’être”.

Joshua Campton

Flying Squad Member

Josh Campton is a Larrakia (N.T), Wadaman /Karajarri (W.A) & Gulidjan (Vic) actor, dancer & poet.

Josh Campton is a Larrakia (N.T), Wadaman /Karajarri (W.A) & Gulidjan (Vic) actor, dancer & poet. He has performed with SA First Nations Dance Collective, OSCA, No Strings Attached, Tutti, Act Now Theatre & Restless Dance, & studies at Tutti Arts. He acted in Mauriceʼs Symphony (2016), Jeremy the Dud & Mutt. (2017). Josh received an Australia Council for the Arts Jump Mentorship in 2012.

Andy Packer

CEO & Artistic Director

Andy is a director of theatre, music theatre and opera. He has also worked as creative producer of multidisciplinary arts programs, producer of large-scale outdoor events and festival director.

Andy is a director of theatre, music theatre and opera. He has also worked as creative producer of multidisciplinary arts programs, producer of large-scale events and festival director. In 2007 Andy co-founded Adelaide based theatre company Slingsby. The company’s productions have received 16 industry awards and toured to more than 100 theatres in over 70 cities and towns across 12 countries.

Andy is renowned for creating original live performance moments that are emotionally powerful and visually bold. His work across theatre for young audiences, opera, cabaret, music theatre and symphonic concerts has pushed him to develop a distinctive theatrical form that is at once personal and epic.

Andy has directed productions, concerts and events for Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, State Opera of South Australia, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Adelaide Festival of Arts, Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Chamber Singers, Australian String Quartet, Windmill Theatre, Restless Dance, Tutti Ensemble, Rundle Mall Management Authority and the International Astronautical Federation. In 2019 Andy was Show Director for the World of WearableArt Awards Show in Wellington, New Zealand. Andy was Creative Producer of Programming at Carclew Youth Arts 2003-2006, Creative Producer of Family Events for Adelaide Fringe Festival 2007-2008 and Creative Director of Come Out Festival 2011.

Quincy Grant

Composer

Quincy Grant composes music for theatre, concert stage and film.

His work includes music for plays such as The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy, and When the Rain Stops Falling; many works for orchestra that have been played in Germany, Canada, and by the leading Australian orchestras; and soundtracks for films and documentaries broadcast on the ABC and SBS. He also writes for concert performances and film, and plays in many groups: from rock to new music and, most recently wild gypsy music with Golonka.

He is co-director of The Firm, a company that presents concerts each year featuring Australian classical musicians in programmes of new Australian music along side interesting repertoire. In 2013 his first opera, An Ode to Nonsense, was premiered by Slingsby and the State Opera of South Australia.

Quincy lives in Adelaide with four dear ones – Anna, Arland, Clara and Miranda.

Wendy Todd

Designer

Wendy is an Adelaide based designer of theatre, events and spaces. Wendy has worked extensively with Slingsby since 2007.

Wendy is an Adelaide based designer of theatre, events and spaces.

Recent productions designed by Wendy Todd (Set & Costume Designs) include Lighthouse 2020, ([Set Only] Patch Theatre) North/South 2019 (Australian Dance Theatre), Picaresque 2019 (Robyn Archer, Adelaide Festival), Seashore 2019 (Sally Chance Dance/ Dream Big), Rabbits  2017 (Steel & Brown/State Theatre Company), Emil & The Detectives 2017 (Slingsby [Set Only]),  Long Tan 2017 (Brink/STC), The Young King 2016 (Slingsby), Touch’N’Go, 2016 (Sally Chance Dance), Cabaret Opening, Closing & Family Galas 2018, 2017 & 2016 (Adelaide Festival Centre), Blinc Bar Adelaide Festival (Adelaide Festival of Arts) 2015, Babyteeth 2013, Blasted & Pornography 2012 (State Theatre Company), Land & Sea 2012, Skip Miller’s Hit Songs 2011, Harbinger 2010, The Hypochondriac 2009 (Brink Productions), Man Covets Bird 2010, The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy 2007 (Slingsby), Worldhood 2011 (Australian Dance Theatre), A Lion In The Night 2012, The Little Green Tractor 2011 (Patch Theatre Company), Cutaway II, 2012  [Vitalstatistix]. Ruby Bruise 2010 (The Misery Children & Vitalstatistix).

Event Design includes Adelaide Cabaret Festival Co-Event Designer, 2018, 2017 & 2016; Sole Event Designer, 2015, (Adelaide Festival Centre) Designer, Blinc Bar 2015, Design Coordinator of Barrio, 2013 & 2012, Lola’s, 2014, Assistant Designer Persian Garden 2008, 2006, (Late Night Clubs of the Adelaide Festival of Arts), Adelaide Guitar Festival 2016, (AFC) Bowerbird Design Markets 2013 – 2017 (Biannual Event), Adelaide Film Festival 2007.

Darian Tregenza

Lighting Design & Technician

Clara Solly-Slade

Director

Production Credits

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