Logan St

Review by Markus Hamence – Logan St. Performance date: Opening Night - Tuesday 28 July 2026. Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, South Australia.

State Theatre Company South Australia's Logan St is more than a play. It is an act of remembrance, reclamation and quiet revolution that asks us to look beneath the streets we think we know. Beautifully written and directed by the talents of Jacob Boehme, this remarkable world premiere uncovers the hidden stories woven into Adelaide's own landscape, connecting Kaurna history, the legacy of Afghan cameleers and the enduring strength of community. Inspired by Boehme's own family history and grounded in extensive research, Logan St transforms overlooked history into deeply human theatre that lingers long after the lights fade.

At the heart of the production is an extraordinary friendship between Goolie, an Afghan cameleer and caretaker of Adelaide's historic mosque, and Dulcie, a young Aboriginal woman finding her place on Kaurna Country. Ali Ammouchi delivers a beautifully understated performance as Goolie, radiating warmth, wisdom and quiet resilience. Opposite him, Alexis West is exceptional in the dual roles of Dulcie and Munarto, seamlessly moving between two generations with remarkable emotional depth and authenticity. Together, they create a connection that feels genuine and profoundly moving, carrying the audience effortlessly between past and present.

"Logan St doesn't only tell forgotten stories - it gives them a heartbeat, reminding us that the streets beneath our feet are built upon lives, cultures and connections that deserve to be remembered." Markus Hamence

The production refuses easy sentimentality. It confronts racism, displacement and loss with honesty, yet never loses sight of hope. Jacob Boehme's writing is poetic without becoming indulgent, while his direction allows every moment the space to breathe, giving the story and its performers the freedom to resonate deeply with the audience.

Visually, Logan St is beautifully realised. Kathryn Sproul's evocative set and costume design, Nic Mollison's atmospheric lighting, Mark Oakley's video design, Patrick Pages-Oliver and Mick Jackson's immersive soundscape, and Dale Cornelius' haunting original score combine to create a theatrical experience that feels intimate while echoing across generations. Together they build a living, breathing world where memory and place become inseparable.

What makes Logan St truly exceptional is its generosity. It does not preach or accuse. Instead, it invites audiences into conversation, encouraging reflection on whose stories have been remembered, whose have been forgotten and how communities continue to find strength through connection. The play reminds us that history is not buried beneath our feet - it is alive in every street, every garden and every shared act of kindness.

As the first mainstage production by a Kaurna playwright for State Theatre Company South Australia, Logan St is both a landmark achievement and an unforgettable piece of contemporary Australian theatre. Jacob Boehme has created a work that is rich with compassion, cultural pride and humanity, while Alexis West and Ali Ammouchi deliver performances of extraordinary sincerity that stay with you long after the final curtain.

My Final Words: Logan St is exactly why Australian theatre matters. It shines a light on stories that have too often remained in the shadows, while delivering a production that is emotionally rich, visually captivating and deeply human. Jacob Boehme has created a work that feels both timeless and urgently relevant, inviting audiences to leave not only entertained, but transformed. This is storytelling with purpose, heart and extraordinary beauty, making Logan St one of State Theatre Company South Australia's most significant and rewarding productions.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Image Credit: Matt Byrne