The Matriarchs Banquet
Lessons from Our Elders
Step into the Irutahuna — where stories are shared, wisdom is passed, and the spirit is nourished.
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The Matriarch’s Banquet is more than a theatre show — it’s an invitation into the sacred heart and spirit of Pacific matriarchal culture. Here, audiences are welcomed as honoured guests (and characters) to witness a rich tapestry of storytelling, music, and kai (food) woven together in a space of deep listening and connection.
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Blending stagecraft with the warmth of a communal feast, this work celebrates the women who lead families, guard traditions, and shape generations. It asks a question that lingers long after the curtain falls: What happens when our matriarchs become Ancestors?
For presenters, The Matriarch’s Banquet offers two powerful experiences:
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A theatrical work: A stage play inspired by community-sourced stories, full of tenderness, and cultural resonance.
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An immersive dining event: A shared table where art, culture, and audience mingle in living conversation.
This is theatre that feeds the belly, the heart, and the spirit. Are you ready to set the table?
Credits
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
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Writer and Producer, Moale James-Proud
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Website Photography Credit:
Nikita Pere Photography, 'The Native Bride Series' and 'Natures Leading Women Series'
Jordan Bull Photography, 'Proud Engagement Party'
What is the format?
The Matriarch’s Banquet is a place and community responsive work designed in collaboration with the Creative Team and the Presenter - there are two modes of performance, suited to work best for your venue, community and budget.
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Presentation style 1: Performance where audiences are participating (Character: Ancestors)
This style works best in a black-box theatre with an adjoining bistro or function room. Audiences view the work in an intimate tiered-seating theatre. Post-show audiences are invited by the Cast to participate in their own Matriarch’s Banquet (cocktail or seated). Optional add-on to feature recipes from real-life Matriarch’s whose stories feature in the work.
Presentation style 2: Performance where audiences are partcipating (Characters: Dinner Party Guests)
Here, audiences are welcomed as honoured dinner party guests to witness a rich tapestry of storytelling, music, and kai (food) woven together in a space of deep listening and connection. Audiences are welcomed to the dinner party/wake by the Cast and invited to take their seat at the dinner table as the play and performances feature around them. This is designed to be a more intimate and exclusive opportunity for community.
Both presentation styles have the optional add-on to be hyper-localised and feature performances and stories from community. This would require further creative development in consultation with the Creative Team.
This is theatre that feeds the belly, the heart, and the spirit. Are you ready to set the table?
Get Involved
How do I get involved?​
There are a few ways that Moale is inviting you to be involved:
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If you are a presenter - we are looking for a presenting partner to showcase this work which will be ready from July 2026.
1. Tok stori
Connect with Moale and share a story about a Matriarch in your life. Talk with Moale about your own thoughts on the subject matter being explored.
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2. Provide in-kind project development support
Moale is on the hunt for a venue to host rehearsals, a script reading and pilot immersive dining experience in. Perhaps you know someone / can offer a space?
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3. Not sure how to support, but I want to connect!
Moale would love to hear from you, you can reach out to her via email on moalejames.work@gmail.com
The Catalyst
My first encounter with death:
As a child my first encounter with death was with the passing of my younger brother. During our families grieving my Mother and Father found themselves in our church prayer circles as a way of healing. But in what would seem like clashing ideologies my Melanesian-Mother also would tell stories of how she felt in the moments of my brothers passing that she had been carried by her Elders that had already died - hearing their voices and feeling their touch. My Mother recalls his death although it being tragic also feeling warm and safe - a concept that as a small child I could never really understand. It was in these moments that I began to realise the significance of having a Matriarch to guide us through these cross-cultural situations - but it also made me question how far away are our Ancestors?
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Losing a mentor:
As a young-woman I recently experienced the passing of a beloved mentor, it was a shock to our Pacific-community and although our interactions were few and far between, the impact of her loss shook me more than I could have imagined. This sudden passing and other events led me to wonder -What happens to our Matriarchs who become Ancestors?
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Marking our skin:
As a Melanesian-woman whose body is heavily covered by the marks of my Gatana’s (great-grandmothers) - whom I have never met. I have often stepped into the space where we as Pacific people understand that we have the opportunity to communicate with our Elders. It is their knowledge that guides what mark is placed where and by whom. Throughout my own journey of reclaiming our reva reva marks and the knowledge we have lost because of colonisation and the passing of our old-women I am once again met with this resounding question - How do we continue to receive knowledge from Ancestors?
