Rachael and Lisa Maza Reunite On Stage for "Black Light" at Malthouse Theatre

Sisters Rachael and Lisa Maza are starring in "Black Light," a new play at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre. This marks their first joint stage appearance since their co-written play "Sisters of Gelam" concluded in 2009. The production, which runs until March 7, was written and directed by Jada Alberts and explores themes of family, culture, and intergenerational relationships among four Larrakia women.

"Black Light" brings Rachael and Lisa Maza together on stage for the first time in over a decade, delving into themes of family, culture, and intergenerational relationships.

Play Overview

"Black Light" centers on four women—Bub, Mum, Aunty, and Nan—confined to a family home near Darwin during a natural disaster. Rachael Maza portrays Aunty, while Lisa Maza plays Mum. Trisha Morton-Thomas appears as Nan, and Tahlee Fereday completes the cast as Bub.

The script is noted for its poetic style and deviates from traditional dramatic structures. Rachael Maza has described its almost magical realist approach as a progression for Blak theatre beyond naturalistic storytelling. The play addresses universal themes of family dynamics, Blak sisterhood, and motherhood, representing the experiences and complex relationships across three generations of Blak women. It also touches upon the issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal women.

Rachael Maza highlights the play's "almost magical realist approach" as a significant step forward for Blak theatre, moving beyond naturalistic storytelling.

Character details reveal Mum, portrayed by Lisa Maza, as a responsible sibling and CEO of an Aboriginal organization. Rachael Maza's character, Aunty, is a former party-goer who has returned home to care for Nan. Nan, played by Trisha Morton-Thomas, is depicted as "poetically bold," symbolizing both cultural knowledge loss and a source of timeless knowledge.

The Maza Sisters' Collaboration

Rachael and Lisa Maza's existing sisterly relationship is reported to facilitate their on-stage dynamic, allowing them to focus on their roles without interpersonal friction. Both sisters have established careers in Australian arts.

Rachael Maza, a Yidinji/Meriam/Dutch actor, recently transitioned to acting roles after 18 years as the artistic director of Ilbijerri, an Indigenous theatre company. She noted that this shift allows her to focus on her craft. Lisa Maza is known for her work as a singer and actor.

The sisters have a shared history in music and live performance, which fostered a close bond from their teenage years. Their acting careers date back to the 1990s, with performances in notable productions such as "Radiance," "Stolen," and "The Sapphires." They have also performed together as the Maza Sisters at various festivals. Their previous collaboration, "Sisters of Gelam," incorporated cabaret, puppetry, dance, and spoken word to narrate the journey of two sisters.

The Maza sisters have stated the role of theatre as a platform for political expression and discussing societal issues.