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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Ruby Constance has a past as rich as her dreams of the future. As she sits at her favourite poker machine, 'The Dancing Lady', with only one coin to her name, her life swirls around her in a cavalcade of memories. Memories that tell the history of Australia's post-war past, and tantalise us like the $50,000 jackpot that hangs over Ruby's head, but is oh so far out of her reach.
Ruby's pokie becomes her friend, her confidante and her confessor. As we trawl through the scattered remnants of her life, we see a little orphan girl from Sydney drag herself out of the gutter to become a bona fide Tivoli star, only to find herself back on the streets again and eventually in a suburban RSL, lost amongst a sea of pokies.
This is the story of a survivor, a woman who would risk everything to ensure a better life for her granddaughter, but who has only one thing left to gamble with - her precious, lucky coin. If she puts this coin in the slot, will she win the jackpot, or will she lose all that is left of her?'. (Source: Australian Script Centre website).
Ruby's pokie becomes her friend, her confidante and her confessor. As we trawl through the scattered remnants of her life, we see a little orphan girl from Sydney drag herself out of the gutter to become a bona fide Tivoli star, only to find herself back on the streets again and eventually in a suburban RSL, lost amongst a sea of pokies.
This is the story of a survivor, a woman who would risk everything to ensure a better life for her granddaughter, but who has only one thing left to gamble with - her precious, lucky coin. If she puts this coin in the slot, will she win the jackpot, or will she lose all that is left of her?'. (Source: Australian Script Centre website).
Production Details
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World premiere production by by Pork Chop Productions at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera House, 16 June - 23 July 2005. Director: Jeremy Sims.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Time Runs Out for Washed-up Showgirl
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 5 August 2005; (p. 6)
— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar 2005 single work drama -
Beware the Pokies : Playwright
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The Claremont-Nedlands Post , 9 July 2005; (p. 51)
— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar 2005 single work drama -
Dancing Queen Pushes the Right Buttons
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian , 24 June 2005; (p. 21)
— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar 2005 single work drama -
Untitled
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 24 June 2005; (p. 14)
— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar 2005 single work drama -
Back with the Battler
2005
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 12 June 2005; (p. 25)
-
Untitled
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 24 June 2005; (p. 14)
— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar 2005 single work drama -
Dancing Queen Pushes the Right Buttons
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian , 24 June 2005; (p. 21)
— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar 2005 single work drama -
Beware the Pokies : Playwright
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The Claremont-Nedlands Post , 9 July 2005; (p. 51)
— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar 2005 single work drama -
Time Runs Out for Washed-up Showgirl
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 5 August 2005; (p. 6)
— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar 2005 single work drama -
Back with the Battler
2005
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 12 June 2005; (p. 25)
Awards
- 2006 shortlisted Victorian Premier's Literary Awards — Prize for Drama
Last amended 2 Jun 2009 11:20:13
Settings:
- Sydney, New South Wales,
- 1940-1999
- 2000s
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