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Is there going to be another strike?DAPHNE: He’s had a rough time. BOB: He needs to remember how it is, though. DAPHNE: Just don’t get wild at him. BOB: Crikey, what is this, the League of bloody Nations? DAPHNE: Oh, be quiet. BOB: I- DAPHNE: I said be quiet! |
Detail from relief outside Wollongong library created by Lis Johnson.
Synopsis
Bulli, NSW in 1942. Japanese submarines sinking shipping off the coast. Australian troops fighting along the Kokoda Track in New Guinea. And strikes in the coal mines threatening to bring the war effort to a halt. In this environment Bob Tracey, a coal miner and his wife, Daphne, find themselves having to defend their principles to daughter-in-law Alice and nephew Hugh.
Characters
Bob Tracey: miner, mid 40s. Daphne Tracey: Bob’s wife, also 40s. Alice Tracey: married to Bob and Daphne’s son, Jimmy, who is fighting in New Guinea. Hugh Ramsey: a priest and Daphne’s nephew, an amputee.
Duration
Twenty-five minutes, one act.
Production History
Commissioned by Merrigong Theatre Company and staged in November 2009 as one of the 4 Plays About Wollongong production as part of Merrigong's subscription season.
Blurb on the cast from Merrigong:
Clare Bowen - a University of Wollongong Faculty of Creative Arts graduate (2007), Clare is a star on the rise. Most recently seen in David Field’s film The Combination, in 2010 she will also appear in the Sydney Theatre Company production of Spring Awakening.
Terry Serio – Terry was most recently seen, and was unforgettable in the smash hit production of Keating! playing both Bob Hawke and John Howard. With an extensive career in film, television and theatre, Terry is also well known for playing Johnny O’Keefe in the TV mini-series Shout!
Adam Booth – Adam is a NIDA acting graduate and since graduation in 2006 has worked as both actor and producer on independent theatre productions in Sydney, including the recent production of Under Ice and Stoning Mary both part of Griffin Independent, Ladybird for BSharp and as producer on Killer Joe also for BSharp.
Liz Burch – Liz is probably best known for playing Dr Chris Randall in The Flying Doctors but she has appeared in theatre and numerous TV shows over the years, most notably Blue Water High, CrashBurn, Wildside, Water Rats and Home and Away.
Pictures
First reading at Merrigong, director Anne Louise Rentell standing, photo by Tina Walsberger courtesy of IPAC |
First reading at Merrigong, director Anne Louise Rentell and designer Simon Greer, photo by Tina Walsberger courtesy of IPAC |
Terry Serio as Bob, photo by Tina Walsberger courtesy of IPAC |
Clare Bowen as Alice and Liz Birch as Daphne, photo by Tina Walsberger courtesy of IPAC |
Adam Booth as Hugh, photo by Tina Walsberger courtesy of IPAC |
Liz Birch as Daphne, photo by Tina Walsberger courtesy of IPAC |
Clare Bowen as Alice, Terry Serio as Bob and Liz Birch as Daphne, photo Andrew Tenison courtesy of IPAC |
Terry Serio as Bob and Liz Birch as Daphne, photo by Tina Walsberger courtesy of IPAC |
Adam Booth as Hugh and Terry Serio as Bob, photo Andrew Tenison courtesy of IPAC |
Adam Booth as Hugh, photo Andrew Tenison courtesy of IPAC |
