South African-Australian writer, director and performer Candy Bowers has created an engaging story for teens that reflects on some of the most important issues faced by young people today. One the Bear investigates the rampant inequality and social stigmas faced by people of colour, using music, rhyme and sparkling visuals.
Set in a garbage tip, the story follows young female bear One (played by Bowers) and her best mate Ursula (Ashleyrose Gilham). The pair and their tribe of bears are oppressed living under the law of human hunters, and want to be free to catch fresh fish again, rather than swallow the sad fish fingers that are now their only source of food.
When One has the opportunity to lead her people and stand up against those that have kept them at the edges of society, she’s faced with new challenges. Performed completely in rhyme, the characters explore cultural appropriation – One’s new-found fame sparks a wave of tail-based cosmetic trends – and body image issues that people of colour experience.
The one-hour show has been developed with Bowers’ sister Kim ‘Busty Beatz’ Bowers on the music production, alongside visual artist Jason Wing and costume designer Sarah Seahorse. It’s best suited to bigger kids over the age of 14, as it contains some mature themes and language.