Divided we fall apart, united we might blow up. They immigrated, they’re free. What more could they possibly want?

Director:

Writer: Desirée Gezentsvey

Cast: Yael Gezentsvey

Tickle your imagination as one talented actor takes on multi-cultural characters in this fast-paced and tightly crafted solo show. Set in green New Zealand and red USSR before the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, “Nuclear Family” is a comedic drama that illuminates the journeys of a colourful bunch of immigrants as they swing between the shocks and delights of their new lives.

If only Abi’s in-laws could get out of the Soviet Union and be reunited with their family, she just might stop longing for her own in Venezuela. And if shrewd old Babushka could get her granddaughter Zina to sort out her own life instead of trying to manipulate everyone else’s, she would fulfil a promise she once made.

Longing to belong in this upside-down world of Kiwis and other quirky immigrants, they struggle with the realisation that although the grass is definitely greener on the free side, the fence is still there, and their loved ones are on the other side. Is freedom and control over one’s destiny only illusions?

This Australian premiere is woven together by New Zealand playwright Desirée Gezentsvey, author of bilingual poetry book “next time around / la próxima vez”, and is performed by Adelaide newcomer Yael Gezentsvey, recently featured in “Paper Scissors Rock” and TVNZ’s film “A Piece of My Heart”.“Nuclear Family” is an entertaining and socially significant piece of theatre not to be missed by Adelaide’s multicultural audiences.