Yirra Yaakin is back doing what they do best. Heart is a Wasteland is a raw, unfettered production that explores identity, family, and how we hold each other through pain. In a post-show conversation, director and actor Maitland Schnaars framed it perfectly when he asked the audience not to look at them on stage, but to look through them at their own world. The story unfolds through acts framed like a setlist belonging to Raye (played by Claire Fermo), a country-folk singer performing in pubs across the outback. With each act closing on a song, this format makes you feel like you’re right there inside the story.
In the audience of the first pub gig, we meet Dan (played by Maitland Schnaars), clad in high-vis with an irritating exterior that makes you wonder what’s underneath. A post-show meeting with Raye turns into a road trip as they travel together to the next few towns. My intrigue about Dan was validated in the surrealist scenes where his spirit is plagued by the same dark dream night after night. It’s in these scenes that Maitland’s acting shines, with an awkward poise shaped by movement director Jacob Lehrer. These moments give audiences a glimpse into Dan’s inner workings, the escapism and fear that hold him. These smatterings of surrealism delighted my love of the genre without alienating those who prefer more conventional storytelling.
Heart is a Wasteland. Photo credit Jessica Wyld.
As this romantic comedy unfolds, the cheeky tit-for-tat between Raye and Dan makes it easy to like these characters. The playful chemistry between the actors brings John Harvey’s story to life. It’s the kind of storytelling that doesn’t require you to suspend disbelief and is accessible for those less familiar with theatre. It opens people up to connect with the delicate yet profound undercurrent of the narrative. There were moments that could have been more polished, but such was the strength of the story that it didn’t demand an immaculate delivery. It would take far more than opening-night jitters to undo the brilliance of this production.
Heart is a Wasteland. Photo credit Jessica Wyld.
Every time I go to a Yirra Yaakin show, I learn something about Aboriginal culture. It’s what keeps bringing me back to this company. However, the most surprising discovery from this production was that there is, in fact, at least one appealing use for Venetian blinds. They provided a permeable stage wall that, when selectively turned, created an effortless flow and a beautiful liminality between scenes. The blinds also served as a canvas for lighting designer Lucy Birkinshaw’s colourful artistry. It was a pleasure to see all these creative elements come together so seamlessly on stage.
Even though I was there to critique the show, I wasn’t looking to poke holes in it. I tend to pay attention to the finer details, but this show made me a viewer first and a reviewer second.
Heart is a Wasteland is presented by Yirra Yaakin and is on at Subiaco Arts Centre from 17 October – 1 November 2025.