Quito:

Quito: the story of a refugee

SYDNEY — As part of the Song Company and Sydney A cappella Association's "Modern Art Series", Quito will be performed at Newtown Theatre on August 6.

Quito, by Martin and Perter Wesley-Smith, is a multimedia event based on the life of Francisco Baptista Pires, a young East Timorese refugee in Australia. Pires developed schizophrenia, was shot by police and was found hanging by his pyjama cord in Royal Darwin Hospital in 1990.

The performance explores the issues of war, invasion, loss of one's culture and identity, addiction and mental illness.

Quito will be preceded by performances by two much-loved Sydney choirs — Voices from the Vacant Lot and the Solidarity Choir.

The show starts at 8pm at 354 King Street, Newtown. Cost is $30/$22 concession. For more information, or to book, phone 9364 9457.

From GLW issue 327