Overview
From South Sudan to Egypt to our stage, this is the extraordinary journey of Mandela Mathia. Fleeing his war-torn home as a child, Mandela spent many years journeying, searching, and eventually finding his way to our stage.
This is a joyful, poignant solo show, straight from the man who lived it. A celebration of the South Sudanese community, of resilience, and the power of imagination, Lose to Win is an astonishing modern Australian story.
Curriculum Links
General Senior Syllabi English, English as an Additional Language or Dialect, Essential English (Applied Senior Subject) Drama, The Arts V9.0 Drama
Learning Resources
Extend the Experience
The below activity for students is part of the Interdisciplinary Learning Program and is designed to extend the experience beyond the performance. Book it via the Creative Learning Enquiry form.
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Panel: Storytelling for Healing25 Jun 2026, 1pm | Cremorne TheatreA panel discussion about the importance of storytelling in the healing journey for refugees.
Gallery
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
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Photo credit: Brett Boardman 
Cast
- Performer Mandela Mathia
Creatives
- Writer Mandela Mathia
- Director Jessica Arthur
- Assistant Director Mehhma Malhi
- Set & Costume Designer Keerthi Subramanyam
- Sound Designer & Composer Brendan Boney
- Original Lighting Designer Kate Baldwin
- Technical Co-Ordinator Joel Montgomery
- Stage Manager Grace Calabretto
QPAC's Creative Learning Program
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Lost & Found: Drama Workshop
Artists in ClassroomsThrough Process Drama, Teaching Artists Dave Burton and Emily Burton guide students into an imagined world shaped by curiosity, challenge and discovery.
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Songs of Protest Workshop
Artists in ClassroomsGuided by First Nations musicians, students will explore how song becomes a voice for truth and transformation – investigating stories of colonialism, the Stolen Generations, and resilience.
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Glow & TellImage by Chloe Morris For Schools: Glow & Tell
26 - 27 Aug 2026Cremorne TheatrePart of QPAC's Creative Learning Program, students are placed at the centre of this engaging interactive experience, blending the magic of light and simplicity of storytelling
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Enviro-Beats Workshop
8 - 11 Sep 2026Artists in ClassroomsTurn rubbish into rhythm in the high-energy Enviro-Beats workshop with the Junkyard Beats team.
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WOW Schools Day '25 WOW Schools Day ‘26
13 Oct 2026, 8:30amCremorne TheatreWOW Schools Day highlights and addresses the many challenges girls face globally, and promotes girl’s empowerment and human rights.
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For Schools: Grossbusters – The Monster Musical
2 - 3 Dec 2026PlayhousePart of QPAC’s Creative Learning Program, students from Longreach School of Distance Education (LSODE) will bring their energy and talent to the Playhouse stage in Grossbusters.
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Brazil Pele, Huda Akhlaki, Mandela Mathia, and Jesmine Cheong Panel: Storytelling for Healing
Watch NowDigital StageThis panel discussion is about the importance of storytelling in the healing journey for refugees.
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Panel: Pathways into Creative Industries
Watch NowDigital StageThis panel introduces students to people who work in the creative industries — artists, producers and technical experts who make theatre, music, film and live performance for a living.