QPAC

WORLD PREMIERE AT BRISBANE FESTIVAL 2024  

On May 8 1968, a group of remarkable Torres Strait Island workers on the vast expanse of the Mount Newman railway construction project shattered world records as they laid down an astonishing 7km of track in a single day, an unparalleled feat that still stands unchallenged. At the heart of their extraordinary achievement is the power of song – songs that are unique to Australia, that tell a passionate and inspiring story. 

Straight from the Strait pays homage to the extraordinary stories of these Torres Strait Island men and women who ventured far from their homes in pursuit of employment on the mainland. Amid the gruelling labour, they discovered a sense of camaraderie that transcended boundaries. Their sweat and toil laid the foundation for Australia's emergence as an industrial nation, a legacy now interwoven within the nation's identity. 

This production reverberates with the power of song, a harmonious fusion of traditional Torres Strait music and contemporary melodies. Through the vibrant ancestral languages like Meriam Mir, Kala Lagaw Ya and Torres Strait Creole combined with English language and the backbeat of a contemporary band, it tells a tale that pulses with passion and inspiration. 

Developed through collaboration and consultation with the Yumpla Nerkep Foundation and Torres Strait Islander artists, Elders, and communities, this project is led by a team of First Nations creatives, performers, musicians, and cultural advisors.  

Straight from the Strait “Songlines Tour”

In August 2022, the team from Straight from the Strait embarked on a Songlines Tour that included Cairns, Thursday Island and Logan to share, professionally record, and translate traditional songs from the Westen and Eastern Torres Straight Islands.

Creative development of the show

Developed through collaboration and consultation with Torres Strait Island Artists, Elders and Community, this project is led by a team of First Nations creatives, performers, musicians and cultural advisors.