Set to run from July 26 to August 16 at the Odeon Theatre, Dear Son is a reflection of lived experience, cultural pride, and intergenerational wisdom. Starring leading First Nations actors, including Jimi Bani and Trevor Jamieson, the show will explore themes of fatherhood, masculinity, and identity through an innovative blend of storytelling and music.
Originally published as a book, Dear Son was born from Mayo’s own reflections on fatherhood, masculinity, and cultural identity. “When I wrote Dear Son, I was 43 years old and had only recently published my first book,” Mayo recalls. “For the first time, I took the time to deeply analyse my childhood, my parenthood, and how I was raised.”
Mayo’s inspiration for the book stemmed from the harmful stereotypes of Indigenous men in mainstream media, particularly the narrative that portrayed them as absent fathers. “The stereotyping depicted Indigenous men as terrible fathers who did not love their children, ignoring the colonial programs that purposely disempowered and demeaned Indigenous men,” he explains. He set out to challenge this damaging perspective, bringing together 12 First Nations contributors—including Stan Grant, Troy Cassar-Daley, and John Liddle—to write letters that celebrate the complexities and strengths of Indigenous fatherhood.
The idea to adapt Dear Son into a theatre production came from theatre director Mitchel Butel. “I was chuffed when he reached out to me via email,” Mayo says. With Drandic and Harvey at the helm, the adaptation promises to capture the essence of the book while adding new layers of performance and emotion. “I read the first draft recently and I was deeply moved to read the voices of the letter writers coming to life, imagining them spoken and acted out on stage.”
Through storytelling and music, Dear Son will create a space where the audience can connect with the raw and heartfelt experiences shared in the book. The adaptation aims to honour the rich traditions and wisdom of fathers passed down through generations while confronting contemporary challenges faced by First Nations men today.
A core theme of Dear Son—both in its literary and theatrical forms—is the challenge of toxic masculinity and the reshaping of narratives around First Nations manhood.
Dear Son is my favourite work because I believe it is important for men to challenge what we are sometimes taught about how a man should behave.
“Poor lessons start in the home with the example we set. Poor lessons are amplified amongst boys at school. Toxic masculinity is being promoted—effectively and purposely—across social media.”
For Mayo, the most rewarding feedback comes from men who tell him that the letters helped them reflect on their own relationships. “This is my hope for the book and the play—that we learn from each other, we learn from thinking about the influences around us, and that we challenge the stereotypes about Indigenous men while tackling the scourge of gender violence.”
Mayo is no stranger to using storytelling as a means of advocacy. As co-author of The Voice to Parliament Handbook, he has been at the forefront of national conversations on Indigenous rights and representation. For him, Dear Son is a continuation of that work, offering a deeply personal lens through which audiences can engage with First Nations experiences.
“Storytelling is powerful because when we take the time to listen to another person’s story, we tend to imagine ourselves or a loved one in the same shoes,” he reflects. “Most people cannot help but empathise.”
This empathy is at the heart of Dear Son’s journey from book to stage. It is a reminder that stories have the power to heal, to challenge, and to bring people together. As audiences prepare for this landmark production in 2025, Dear Son stands as a testament to the enduring strength of First Nations men and the universal bonds of family.
Dear Son is on at Odeon Theatre, Adelaide from 26 July to 16 August 2025. Get tickets here.
