Scuti Productions, in association with Encore Entertainment, presents the heartfelt Australian premiere of Fragile: Handle With Care at the 2025 Fringe.
The show follows the historic Operation Babylift, the name given to a mass evacuation of thousands of Vietnamese children to Western countries at the end of the Vietnam War in April 1975. Organised by the US government and international agencies, the operation aimed to provide orphaned and displaced children with new homes in Western countries. While it was seen at the time as a humanitarian mission, it also sparked controversy regarding the children’s origins and the complexities of international adoption.
The cast features Eddie Bye, an award-winning actor known nationally and internationally, alongside Calin and Arwen Diamond, specialists in dance, acrobatics, and dramatic performance. The ensemble also includes Trung Le, Krystal Cave, Eddie Morrison, Chris Gun, Hieu Nguyen, Ollie Xhu, and Jazz Garcia.
The show is written by and starring Barton Williams, who was one of those children. Fragile: Handle With Care explores themes of adoption, identity, and resilience. The narrative gives a heartfelt personal perspective on displacement and belonging, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Operation Babylift.
The production features an extremely talented cast, including Calin and Arwen Diamond, specialists in dance, acrobatics and dramatic performance, alongside Eddie Bye an award-winning voice artist known nationally and internationally, and a skilled ensemble comprising Trung Le, Krystal Cave, Eddie Morrison, Chris Gun, Hieu Nguyen, Ollie Xhu, and Jazz Garcia.
The production showcases choreography by Penelope Shum, an Adelaide-based choreographer recognised globally for her work. Her choreography enhances the performances of Calin and Arwen, contributing a dynamic layer to the narrative.
The show incorporates voiceovers from Adelaide-raised Vietnamese orphans, including Saran Chamberlain, Kim Catford, and Chantel Doecke, adding authenticity to the themes of identity and belonging.
The show originated as a children’s book by Barton Williams titled ‘But What Are You?’, published in 2018. In 2020, Barton wrote ‘Precious Cargo’, a play that was showcased as a staged reading at Rumahfest and The London Vaults Festival with Mohamad Faizal Abdullah. In 2022, Barton then co-developed ‘Precious Cargo’ with Scottish theatre company Sruth Mara into a solo show performed in the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe.
Reflecting on his experience as an adoptee raised in Adelaide, Barton Williams said, “This isn’t just a performance – it’s a deeply human story, brought to life with multi-faceted creativity to connect powerfully with modern audiences.”
Fragile: Handle With Care offers audiences an opportunity to engage with complex and emotional social themes while experiencing a compelling theatrical production.
Fragile: Handle With Care
Venue: Main Theatre at Goodwood Theatre and Studios
Season: Saturday, 22 February – Sunday, 16 March
Duration: 55 min
Tickets: $25 to $35
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/fragile-handle-with-care-af2025
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