The Sirens’ Return is a new music theatre work which captures the spirit of place from a female perspective. Comprised of six poetic monologues sung by six women, the work draws on oral histories gathered from residents of Port Kembla, a coastal industrial suburb of Wollongong, NSW. 

Structured as a dramatic song cycle involving both solo voice and chorus – and ranging across musical styles, including blues, jazz, pop and folk – the work premiered at Port Kembla pool in February 2022.

Creative team

Concept/Director: Anne-Louise Rentell

Writers: Barbara Nicholson, Ali Jane Smith, Anne-Louise Rentell

Composer/Musical Director: Daryl Wallis 

Designer: Katja Handt

Performers: Alice Ansara, Matilda Brown, Marlene Cummins, Billie Rose Prichard, Di Smith, Kerrie Sweeney

Thanks to: Jeannie Lewis and participants in the Where Lies Beauty oral history project

The Siren Project was created by The Society of Histrionic Happenings and is supported by Create NSW, Merrigong Theatre Company, Wollongong City Council, and Culture Bank Wollongong.