One Who Wants To Cross

Five bodies standing in a line holding assorted items. The one in the middle is shining a torch. They are silhouetted by a large white cloth hung behind. The cloth is lit in purple.

In the foreground, a man wearing a white singlet, Hawaiian shirt and a keffiyeh wrapped around his head. He is holding a cigarette. In the background, a man wearing a bucket hat silhouetted by a large white cloth hung behind, lit in warm white. The first man is lit in warm white.

Five bodies, huddled, sitting on the floor in the confines of an invisible boat, looking off into the distance. Behind a large white cloth lit in purple and orange is hung. The five are lit in purple.

A man in a wide-brimmed hat looking at an unrolled piece of parchment. A woman in a grey jacket watching on. They are lit in orange.

Five bodies running on the spot in a line holding assorted items. The one in the middle is further downstage. Behind a large white cloth lit in warm white is hung. The bodies are lit in warm white.

Written By Marc-Emmanuel Soriano

Translation By Amanda Gann

Lost Thought Arts, Sydney Fringe Festival

Flight Path Theatre, September 2023

With Malek Domkoc
Naser Ali
Jonathan Lim
Vinaya Elijala
Pradhan Dewri

Direction Emma Whitehead
Production Design Lochie Odgers
Lighting Design Priyanka Martin

Composition and Sound Design Cameron Smith

“Australian premiere of this award-winning French play about the global migrant crisis, where profound tragedy and irresistible hope are entwined in an urgent dreamscape of lyricism, physical theatre, and sound.

"In the water now up to the waist, there are some who struggle to walk, staying upright as best they can, holding what’s left of their belongings, clinging to one another, like soldiers returning from battle... ”

One Who Wants to Cross is on the precipice. They see no other option. They are ever-pacing the line between the excruciating present and the unknowable future. Where they are from does not matter, only where they will arrive.

By sea, by train, by truck, by foot, One Who Wants To Cross keeps moving forward as far as they can, at any cost.

Examining the contemporary human tragedy of refugee and migrant crises around the world, this lyrical drama is a striking portrait of endeavour, ingenuity, and restraint. Physical theatre and enveloping sound support the bold storytelling of an incomprehensible tale.

Original Compositions

FREE

00:00 / 02:12

RUN

00:00 / 01:57

DIVE

00:00 / 02:12

Arts Hub ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2

"It was a powerful reminder for us to strive towards more understanding and empathy."

TIME

00:00 / 00:35

WHALES

00:00 / 01:29

CAMERON SMITH

Composition, Sound and Video Design

One Who Wants To Cross