Birdsong of Tomorrow
A play about change, loss, and birds.
The wandering albatross. The buff-breasted paradise kingfisher. The superb fairywren. Every day across this country, birds sing. Songs passed down through generations. Songs of a world that’s gone and a world that’s changing. Birds fill every part of the planet with melody and colour. They soar and swim and run. And a lot of them are chickens.
Blending science, storytelling, music and video, Birdsong of Tomorrow is a playful and heartfelt look at our rapidly changing environment—and what birds might sing when we’re gone.
Performance History
2022 performed at Flying Nun by Brand X
2024 performed at Merrigong Theatre Company for MerrigongX
2025 performed at Old Fitz Theatre for Griffin Lookout
Birdsong of Tomorrow’s development has been supported by Creative Australia, MerrigongX, Griffin Theatre Company, Brand X and Shopfront Arts Co-op.
“Harrison is a gently erudite host. His enthusiasm is palpably genuine, as are his emotions, which flicker just below the surface, ready to well up.”★★★★—Jason Blake, Limelight
“Let’s just celebrate Nathan Harrison’s absorbing writing and delivery.”—John Shand, The Sydney Morning Herald
“It’s not only beguilingly educational, it’s also bitingly funny.”—Justin Clarke, Theatre Thoughts
Creative Team
Writer and performer: Nathan Harrison
Director: Emma McManus
Composer and Sound Designer: Tom Hogan
Video and Production Designers: Clare Britton, Troy Reid, Solomon Thomas
Lighting Designer: Saint Clair
Producer: Malcolm Whittaker
Stage Manager: Maddie Osbourne
With thanks to Tessa Leong, Declan Greene, Annie Clapton and Corey Potter for their dramaturgical and design contributions to the show’s development.
Production images by Phil Erbacher.
