I feel certain that a decade ago, even less, it would have been inconceivable that an Australian theatre company – especially a major one – would mount a play like this: a story about African-Americans, performed by actors of the African diaspora.

Is God Is marks an important milestone in local theatre’s growing, though long overdue diversity (how I don’t miss the endless parade of white, often middle-class stories). Whatever the audience’s cultural background and lived experience though, this 90-minute, one-act play hits home with its universal themes of family, identity, trauma and revenge – sometimes with visceral force.

Melbourne Theatre Company’s Is God Is. Photo © Pia Johnson

Co-directed by Zindzi Okenyo and Shari Sebbens, who also recently helmed seven methods of killing kylie jenner together, this MTC/STC co-production is the Australian debut of American Aleshea Harris’ play. Premiering Off-Broadway in 2018, it recalls Greek tragedy and screen Westerns, but is told from a distinctly black, female perspective with plenty of dark humour.

Is God Is follows twins Anaia and Racine. These young women receive a letter from their mother, who they thought had died in a fire long ago; the...