The Sunshine Coast will host the touring production of KOAL this June, with two scheduled performances at The Events Centre in Caloundra. Created and performed by Jacinta Yelland, the 70-minute solo work utilizes a mix of documentary theatre, clowning, and audience interaction to explore the human impact of environmental crises.
The narrative is set against the backdrop of the 2019 Australian bushfires and tracks three interconnected perspectives: a rescued baby koala, a trapped coal miner, and an Indigenous girl. Through these characters, the production examines questions regarding the loss of home, country, and identity.
Co-creator and performer Jacinta Yelland explained that the initial inspiration for the production came from observing the destruction of the 2019 bushfires while living overseas:
I was in my living room in Philadelphia watching Australia burn. I was devastated by the amount of nature disappearing before my eyes. I couldn’t help but wonder – what would the natural world have to say about this climate disaster?
The character of Minah is based on my grandma. She told me about a pivotal time in her life, when she was taken away from her home and placed somewhere completely unfamiliar. The director and I saw clear parallels between home and identity and worked to find a meaningful way to integrate that into the show.
For the Caloundra season, The Events Centre is introducing a “Choose Your Own Ticket Price” initiative to assist with community accessibility. Audiences can select from three distinct price points listed at $29, $35, and $42, with all tiers providing the same performance experience. The two sessions will take place on 17 June 2026 at 10am and 7pm. Bookings can be accessed through The Events Centre’s official website.
