AustLit logo
Australian Realness single work   drama  
Issue Details: First known date: 2019... 2019 Australian Realness
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'The summery embrace of an Aussie family Christmas. Familiar characters pop the cork on mid-range bubbly for a raucous celebration of festive traditions. But, all is not well.

'As adult kids regress to the parental homestead, Mum and Dad’s apparent wealth is waning. They’ve sold the Audi. There are fewer presents. They’re even renting out the back shed to supplement their income.

'There’s a bunch of yobbos in the backyard!

'Following a Christmas dinner invitation, ocker antics start to infect the house. First, it’s the tracky dacks. Then, it’s the durries. Before you know it, the working class are treading their unsophistication all over the polished floorboards … or so it may seem.'

Source: Malthouse Theatre.

Production Details

  • Produced by Malthouse Theatre, 16 August to 8 September 2019.

    Director: Janice Muller.

    Lighting Design: Amelia Lever-Davidson.

    Sound: James Paul.

    Set and Costume Design: Romanie Harper.

    Cast includes Linda Cropper.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

An Each-way Bet on a Double Family Tale Chris Boyd , 2019 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 24 August 2019; (p. 14)

— Review of Australian Realness Zoey Dawson , 2019 single work drama

'There’s a lot going on under the crass sitcom surface of Zoey Dawson’s new play, Australian Realness, but not a great deal of incentive to go fossicking for the fool’s gold beneath.' (Introduction)

[Review] Australian Realness Sarah Walker , 2019 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 415 2019; (p. 70)

— Review of Australian Realness Zoey Dawson , 2019 single work drama

'Australians love a bogan in pop culture. Kath & Kim broke ratings records; The Castle regularly tops lists of favourite local films. This sense of affection for the working class becomes more complex off-screen, when Aussie battlers become ‘cashed-up bogans’ and turn Queensland into a Liberal state; when they start threatening middle-class values; and especially when they gain capital and political power. Australian Realness uses the bogan stereotype as a tool to shatter the middle-class drama as both a cultural and theatrical narrative.'(Introduction)

[Review] Australian Realness Sarah Walker , 2019 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 415 2019; (p. 70)

— Review of Australian Realness Zoey Dawson , 2019 single work drama

'Australians love a bogan in pop culture. Kath & Kim broke ratings records; The Castle regularly tops lists of favourite local films. This sense of affection for the working class becomes more complex off-screen, when Aussie battlers become ‘cashed-up bogans’ and turn Queensland into a Liberal state; when they start threatening middle-class values; and especially when they gain capital and political power. Australian Realness uses the bogan stereotype as a tool to shatter the middle-class drama as both a cultural and theatrical narrative.'(Introduction)

An Each-way Bet on a Double Family Tale Chris Boyd , 2019 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 24 August 2019; (p. 14)

— Review of Australian Realness Zoey Dawson , 2019 single work drama

'There’s a lot going on under the crass sitcom surface of Zoey Dawson’s new play, Australian Realness, but not a great deal of incentive to go fossicking for the fool’s gold beneath.' (Introduction)

Last amended 6 Sep 2018 15:45:54
X