Jali: noun: a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, or musician.

Oliver Twist: a charismatic comedian and performer refusing to be defined by his turbulent past.

In this one-person show that is as delicately told as it is captivating, Oliver uses his exceptional storytelling abilities to reflect on his time as a refugee and to unpack what his life looks like now.

After fleeing the Rwandan civil war at the age of four, Oliver spent his childhood in Malawi, first in a refugee camp, and later in the city where his mother and father started a small convenience store. After acceptance into the Australian government’s refugee intake, the family arrived in Ipswich in 2014 to begin a new life.

Using personal anecdotes, drama and humour as a powerful antidote to trauma JALI is a vibrant and emotional journey that patiently proves there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In a four star review, the Sydney Morning Herald declared “Twist is a star” and “this is why we came back to the theatre”, and the Sydney Arts Guide called JALI “an unmissable experience” and “a wonderful accomplishment both in terms of writing and acting”.

JALI was nominated for Best Independent Production at the Sydney Theatre Awards for 2021, with Oliver Twist also nominated for Best Newcomer.

Don’t miss this “entertaining, educating and enlightening” event (Broadway World).

★★★★★ “So brightly does he paint the opportunities of future, he leaves us with the fresh realisation that new life is always possible.” OUT in Perth

★★★★ “Full of life, warmth, and vitality.... This is why we came back to the theatre.” Sydney Morning Herald

★★★★ “The attention is completely on Twist, who is utterly captivating to listen to.” The West Australian

★★★★ “A natural performer with innate comic timing and enormous charm.” Limelight Magazine

★★★★ Australian Book Review

“Perfectly balanced in comedy and drama.” Theatre Travels