Australia Day
BY JONATHAN BIGGINS
14 NOVEMBER – 16 DECEMBER
“You think we’re old fashioned, out of touch, that’s it’s all Captain Cook and flag tattoos”
In the fictional NSW town of Coriole, preparations are underway for the annual Australia Day celebrations and the organising committee are hashing out the details amidst disagreements over politics, patriotism and progress.
Whether it’s angst over a new development, the best snags to serve at a multi-cultural barbie, or the looming spectre of racism, throughout runs the theme of self-censorship. At what point do you abandon the politically-correct stance and say what you really think?
Jonathan Biggins (The Wharf Revue) is one of Australia’s sharpest satirists and he zooms in on the dynamics of small-town society with an unerring eye and ear for the humour embedded in everyday life.
“A near flawless farce” The Sydney Morning Herald
Running time: approx 2.5 hours, including interval
Creative team
Director Louise Fischer
Set Designer David Marshall-Martin
Lighting Designer Nicola Block
Sound Designer Mehran Mortezaei
Assistant Director Michael Mitchell
Stage Manager Douglas Cairns
LX Operators Graeme Warren, Victoria Shaw
SX Operators Eddy Dharmadji, Sai Kasivajjula
Cast
Les Asmussen, Peter Eyers
Alice Livingstone, Lap Nguyen
Martin Portus, Amelia Robertson-Cuninghame
Dates & Times
Previews Tue 14 & Wed 15 Nov, 7:30pm
Thu – Sat 7:30pm, Sun 5pm
Final performance, Sat 16 Dec 2pm
TICKET prices
Full $35 * Concessions, Groups (6+) $30 * Members $22 *Previews, Thrifty Thursdays $20
School groups: $22 per student, accompanying teachers free. Contact our Theatre Manager 02 9519 3403
“Director Louise Fischer has gathered a wonderful cast [and] created a well paced production that draws lots of laughs as Biggins’ delicious dialogue exposes the hypocrisy of humanity … An enlightening work that whilst having a degree of predictability is entertaining and amusing. Well worth catching before the season ends” Broadway World
“A funny and never less than entertaining take on a still very topical comedy” Jason Blake
“Theatrical storytelling of the finest, most entertaining, kind … Lots and lots of laughs … Thoroughly enjoyable” Sydney Arts Guide
“The humour is familiar and warm …the social commentary is pertinent and accurate … The conflict between personalities is deftly portrayed, for an amusing self-deprecating look at our systems of local government … Keeping us involved, are accomplished performances by the actors” Suzy Goes See
“An entertaining, engaging examination of Australia’s changing political and social climate … Louise Fischer‘s production is wonderfully well cast … Let us all rejoice for plays like this” Australian Stage
“A well-chosen company of actors … A gentle and accurate unresolved comedy of really ordinary human beings … It felt sadly, but funny, ‘real’ ,,, The design elements bring a simple honesty to all that is offered” Kevin Jackson
“The set design is fantastic … Costumes were beautiful in their simplicity and accuracy … The performances from a good cast deserve considerable credit … Very enjoyable [and] will make you laugh” Megaphone Oz
“A terrific production excellently directed and performed by a great cast” Arts Hub
Production images © Chris Lundie
Hero image © Bradley Blackburn/Shutterstock