In its tradition of staging classic Australian plays, New Theatre is proud
to present Ray Lawler's masterpiece from the 1950's, SUMMER OF THE
SEVENTEENTH DOLL, as the next play in their 1998 season, opening May 9 and
playing through to June 27.
Olive and Roo embrace, while Barney pours a drink and Pearl offers savouries with plenty of Mustard.
Director Elaine Hudson has assembled a talented team including cast members
Colleen Cook (Pearl), Rowena Doyle (Bubba), Lisa Peers (Olive), Patricia
Jones (Emma), Alan Flower (Barney), Theo Burnes (Roo), and Nickolas Mitsakis
(Johnny) together with Emelia Simcox (Set Design), Samantha Collins
(Costumes), Cherie Stewart (Lighting Design), Betty Leone (Sound Design and
Original Music), Monica Fernan (Stage Manager) and John Foster (Production
Manager).
"Summer of the Seventeenth Doll is a play about growing up and growing old
and failing to grow up; and the study throws into relief not only the hopes
and failures of a dilapidated Melbourne household, but the character of a
nation,"- Katherine Brisbane.
Roo and Barney, Ray Lawler's brawny Queensland canecutters and their
long-standing seasonal romance with two Melbourne barmaids are now part of
the Australian legend. Regarded by many as Australia's greatest play, Summer
of the Seventeenth Doll remains one of the works of literature most closely
identified with the Australian character.
Brisbane continues... "It is a play about the deprivation of feeling and
understanding deriving from the long, unbeaten struggle for survival in the
sun; and how our long-felt admiration for youthful prowess has left us
unequipped to fulfil our age, or even to recognise that there is a tomorrow
.... Lawler has unconsciously drawn upon the major themes of our literature:
man pitting his strength against nature, mateship and freedom and alienation
in the itinerant life this vast country offers, rugged individualism and the
resilient humour that shrugs off despair."
Elaine Hudson's work as a director includes The Death of Peter Pan (New
Theatre), Poles Apart (Stables), The Lady from Dubuque (Downstairs Belvoir),
Endgame (Lookout) and The Man Who Came to Dinner (Genesian Theatre). Acting
credits include Speaking in Tongues (Griffin), The Crucible and Away (STC),
Queen Christina and The American Clock (New Theatre), Joh's Jury (ABC TV)
and most recently Heartbreak High (ABC TV).
SEASON DETAILS: SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL
Venue:New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown
Dates:9th May - June 27, 1998
Performances:Thurs, Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 5.30pm.
Prices: $22 Full, $17 Concession
Bookings: MCA Ticketing (+612)9873.3575
Olive and Roo embrace, while Barney pours a drink and Pearl offers savouries with plenty of Mustard.