Straight from the Strait is an Australian musical with a book by Norah Bagirim and Rubina Kimiia; Bagirim wrote the lyrics, and Kimiia wrote the music.
It tells the story of Torres Strait Islander workers far from home in the Pilbara in the late 1960s laying track on the Mount Newman railway, and breaking a world record by laying seven kilometres of track in under 12 hours. The score includes both contemporary and traditional Torres Strait musical styles, featuring Meriam Mir, Kala Lagaw Ya and Torres Strait Creole languages as well as English.
Straight from the Strait premiered from 28 to 31 August 2024 in Brisbane at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre's Playhouse, presented by Opera Queensland, Yumpla Nerkep Foundation and QPAC in association with Brisbane Festival.
It was named Best Musical or Cabaret at the 2025 Queensland Matilda Awards.
Principal cast CharacterPerformerBoyorPaul Isakara WilliamsKusaHarold PascoePinauVaughan WapauSeraiGertrude BenjaminIsobelGeorgia CorowaMamaGhenoa GelaMan MountainJalen SutcliffeProtector Man/Bradco Bala/John RichardsonZeek PowerLeviJoseph TapauBobby BEdward LamptonJimmyMarcus CorowaSidZane LemusuUncle Reuben/SimeonMaurice SailorH&S Officer & JoeKani PuruReporterCleopatra Pryce
Reception Awards Year Award Category Nominee ResultRef. Matilda Awards Best Set Design Kevin O'Brien Best Lighting Design Jason Glenwright Best Direction Nadine McDonald-Dowd Best Performance in a Leading Role - Mainstage Production Vaughan Wapau Best Performance in a Supporting Role - Mainstage Production Georgia Corowa Best Musical or Cabaret The Judges Award
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