KOAL

KOAL is an original interactive solo show by Jacinta Yelland that immerses audiences in the heart of the devastating 2019 Australian bushfires. Blending powerful storytelling with audience participation, the work invites viewers to experience the human and environmental impact of one of the most significant natural disasters in Australia’s history.

Through the intertwined stories of a baby koala searching for safety, a coal miner confronting difficult truths, and an Indigenous girl navigating a changing landscape, the performance moves seamlessly between humour, tenderness and heartbreak. Their journeys reveal the complex relationships between people, place and responsibility, while exploring what is lost when homes, habitats and communities are destroyed.

Combining documentary theatre, physical performance and clowning, KOAL transforms real events into an engaging and deeply affecting theatrical experience. Drawing on lived experiences and contemporary conversations around climate, identity and connection to Country, the work encourages audiences to reflect on the choices that shape our collective future.

Suitable for a wide range of audiences, KOAL balances moments of laughter with profound empathy, creating space for reflection, conversation and hope. At its core, the show is a moving exploration of resilience, loss and recovery, celebrating the strength of communities while asking what it will take to protect our shared world for future generations.

At Brisbane Powerhouse from 9-11 July 2026.

Suitable for ages 8+
Children under the age of two are permitted; all other ages must hold a valid ticket.  Contains strobe lighting and haze.  Involves audience participation.

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