Rapper, poet and award-winning author Omar Musa brings his electrifying show Since Ali Died back to the Stables after a triumphant sold-out run at Griffin’s inaugural Batch Festival.
Using the death of his hero Muhammad Ali as a lyrical springboard, Musa dives into a furious torrent of poetry, story and song, confronting everything from suburban violence to lost love to his Malaysian heritage and the dark realities of growing up as a brown-skinned Muslim boy in Queanbeyan.
A livewire, hypnotic and totally unmissable hour of theatre.
Presented in association with Sydney Festival & Riverside Theatres
Image: David Charles Collins
Director Anthea Williams
Written and performed by Omar Musa
Guest Performer Sarah Corry
Opening Night 7 January
Season 8 – 19 January
Performance Times
Monday – Friday 7pm
Saturday 2pm & 7pm
[Images by Robert Catto]
‘UnAustralia’ by Omar Musa
Since Ali Died In Rehearsal
Since Ali Died Teaser
“…the show unfurls like the river imagery in Musa’s evocative script: borne on a central, unstoppable current, fluid and fluent in a style of its own making.” ★★★★ Cassie Tongue, Time Out
“… the gentle force of his personality and the dazzling quicksilver of his poetry makes for riveting theatre.” ★★★★ Jason Blake, Audrey Journal
“In white shirt and black jeans and without props, Musa is a captivating story-teller, a large warm presence whose sonorous voice invites you to pay attention as he circles nimbly between anger, tenderness, humour.” Joyce Morgan, Sydney Morning Herald
“As performer, Musa is charisma personified. We are won over effortlessly, by a stage presence naturally confident yet vulnerable, one that showcases an honesty that many will find utterly disarming…Melancholic and incredibly moving, Since Ali Died is a timely meditation on contemporary Australian life, an undeniable summation of all our unique challenges, whether spiritual, social or political.” Suzy Wrong, SuzyGoesSee
“The writing is stunning: clever, sharp, poetic and free-flowing. The issues [Musa] addresses are dark and knotty, yet laced with humour and poignancy, while Musa himself has huge, laid-back charisma.” ★★★★ Jo Litson, Limelight Magazine
“[Musa’s] exhilarating command of language, rhythm, rhyme and metaphor is impressive. A lot of his material is political and, in Anthea Williams’s fine production, he plays it with energy and a direct audience address that is involving. He is a performer who does quite subversive material with seductive charm.” John McCallum, The Australian
“Musa is, like his idol, a beautiful man: big, light on his feet, full of moves, mischief and humour, ferocity and love. Directed with a sure, choreographic hand by Anthea Williams, he raps, he sings, he skewers his audience with spears of uncomfortable truth in between the honey of gentle humour and lemon-tart satire.” ★★★★ Diana Simmonds, StageNoise
“…a thoroughly vibrant work from an energetic and skilled wordsmith. ” Judith Greenaway, Sydney Arts Guide
“…intimate and illuminating.” Jade Kops, Broadway World
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