AustLit

'The Small Poppies is an entertaining children's drama from Australian writer David Holman featuring six members of the Company B Belvoir troupe in some twenty roles as the children, parents, and teachers facing the challenge of the first day at school in mid-1980s Australia. The story is mainly focused on the troubles of five year old Clint (played by Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush). Meanwhile a Cambodian refugee, Lep (Deborah Mailman) comes to Australia following the death of her mother and faces not only the standard challenges of 'big school', but language, race, and cultural barriers which prevent her classmates and teacher from understanding her ... Though its specific political concerns have dated slightly since 1986, this is still a universal story in which the themes and characters are largely timeless.' (Source: Culture Vulture)