No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability

Ms O'HANLON (Dunstan) (15:22): I rise today to acknowledge the extraordinary work of No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability, an organisation based in my community that has enriched our arts community and our society by providing people with disability the opportunity to create and perform on their own terms.

Recently, I had the quite extraordinary privilege of attending their production The Construct, beautifully written by J.W. Smith and masterfully directed by Catherine Purling, with fantastic lighting design by Nic Mollison. The play tackled subjects that, sadly, can still be too often avoided: mental health, psychosis and schizophrenia. These themes are not easy to face, yet they were explored with incredible emotional authenticity, courage and humanity.

I want to particularly acknowledge the profound and outstanding performance of Fig Kershaw in the lead role. Watching Fig on stage was deeply moving. The performance had a depth and authenticity that just blew me away, to be honest. It was, for me, one of those moments in theatre when what we have experienced stays with you long after you leave. In me, Fig, you have a huge fan.

The Construct reminded me why theatre matters. It can shine a light on what is too often hidden, and it gives voice to experiences that deserve to be heard. None of this work is possible without those who stand beside these performers, people such as CEO, Dr Kari Seeley, and director, Paulo Castro, whose beautiful dedication and vision enabled these stories to be told with such strength and authenticity. As South Australian filmmaker Christopher Houghton has so powerfully said:

We need to hear the diversity, humour, tragedy and honesty that only people who live with disability every day can offer. It is not enough to facilitate others telling their story. We need to hear their stories through their words, stories and faces.

This is precisely what No Strings Attached achieves. That same ethos is at the heart of the My Stories Matter film trilogy, another groundbreaking project under the direction of Paulo Castro. In collaboration with South Australian filmmakers Tim Carlier and Tim Hodgson of House of Spaghetti, No Strings Attached has already created two films in this trilogy, My Stories Matter and My Stories Matter Reloaded. These films are made in the fictional documentary style of Swedish director Roy Andersson whose performers speak directly to camera in a single unedited take. This requires focus, courage and great skill. Importantly, the project provides paid professional opportunities for disabled artists to share their stories in their own voices.

The films have received widespread acclaim for their bold storytelling and authentic representation. Screenings in 2024 reached audiences in Perth, Lisbon, Algarve and Berlin, and screenings are already scheduled for Melbourne in 2026 and Austria in 2027. In just six weeks' time filming will begin on the third and final instalment, My Stories Matter Grand Finale. This work challenges stereotypes, broadens our understanding and ensures that disabled performers are seen, heard and celebrated on their own terms.

When I think back to The Construct, I am reminded of the power of theatre to move us, to make us think and to help us see the world differently. That is what Fig Kershaw achieved with such brilliance. This is what No Strings Attached Theatre delivers time and again. To the performers, directors, crew and everyone involved, I extend my deepest gratitude. Their work is courageous, their art is vital and their stories remind us all of the importance of ensuring that every voice has the opportunity to be heard in its own words and in its own way.