On Tuesday evening Culture Shock a musical comedy by South Sudanese performer, Ajak Kwai was presented as a workshop at the Greek Cultural Centre, Melbourne.
Culture Shock producer Bo Svoronos said that the comedy review is about negotiating life as a South Sudanese person, especially the young, in Australia.
“The South Sudanese are experiencing similar things to what Greek Australians did in the past,” Svoronos told Neos Kosmos.
“Ajak’s work is a funny perspective on being South Sudanese here and it’s told through skits and musical numbers.”
“It even has a South Sudanese country song referencing Tamworth, and I see it touring there in the future” said Svoronos.
Svoronos called it an exciting project “which has legs for future presentation and touring.”
He said called the Greek Centre’s support was essential “If not for Jorge Menidis and his team at the Centre we would not have gotten it up.”
“Culture Shock wants to entertain, make people laugh and sing and reminds Greek Australians of the issues we faced when Yiayia and Papou first settled here.”
“The Greek Centre is showing how established migrant community can support and guide emerging communities.”
“They provided a safe space as a quality venue, promotions and administration support, it was amazing,” said Svoronos.
The producer admitted that the project faced challenges due to COVID-19 over the last two years.
“Covid hit and like all live performances it stole at least two years from us, it was hard to regroup but wed did it.”
Svoronos said that Ajak and he see the “beginning of something good.”
“Ajak and I look will seek support from funding bodies and we have the South Sudanese and Greek communities behind us, to take it to the next level.”
