Black Madonna

In 2006 deckchair theatre will be developing The Black Madonna. The Black Madonna will be inspired by the story of the Black Madonna in contemporary Fremantle, her history and her legend. Kali the Goddess of Creation and Destruction was revered by the Gypsies. She travelled with them from India during their original migration to Western Europe, undergoing many transformations on the way. One of Kali�s final transformations was as the Black Madonna. The Black Madonna of Tindari Southern Italy was discovered in a sea chest from a boat that had sunk off the coast of Tindari. No one knows the origin of this statue but the people of Tindari made a shrine in her honour and many miracles are attributed to her. Today you can see her statue in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Fremantle. The Greek meaning of the word Nostalgia means the deep pain caused by the desire to return. It was because of this nostalgia amongst the migrants in Fremantle that they commissioned an artist to recreate her image in the Southern Hemisphere. At the feet of the Black Madonna is inscribed �Nigra Sum sed Formosa”, meaning �I am Black and I am Beautiful.” At every Blessing of the Fleet in Fremantle she is taken out and paraded down the street to the harbour to view and Bless the boats, the fishermen and their families. The Black Madonna Project explores the hidden narratives and the spiritual subterranean rivers of Fremantle. The Mary Project will happen over three years. Each year will see a new piece of music theatre dealing with the �Mary� icons in our culture.