Inheritance (2008)
Directed by Peter Stevens
Performances: Tue 4th - Saturday 8th November 2008, Bell Theatre
Contents
Auditions
- Sunday 6th July, 6-8pm (Rehearsal Room)
- Monday 7th July, 8-10pm (Prompt Corner)
- Tuesday 8th July, 8-10pm (Bell Theatre)
Introduction
In Western Australia, a family gather to celebrate the Myrtle twin’s, Dibs and Girlie, 80th birthday aware that big decisions will need to be made about the future of Allandale, the family farm.
Single mother Julia journey’s to the family farm with her 19 year old son Felix and some news.
So, are you planning to go ahead with the pregnancy.
Yes.
Christ. And do you mind if I ask-?
Graham. From work.
That short Indian bloke.
No, that’s Amitav. Graham’s the tall Indian bloke.
William is trying to convince his mother, Dibs, to sell the farm and set up a vineyard and restaurant with his partner.
The old man is going to need full-time care. Pretty soon... He’s deteriorating rapidly. The important thing now is not to be too influenced by what he’s feeling. Because he’s very addled and soon he will be completely gone.
Maureen is supporting her family whilst her husband Lyle, Girlie’s son, struggle’s to make a living from the land as a result of an agreement made by the twins many years ago.
I’m putting in a sixty hour week – for what? We’re going down the toilet and you won’t do a damn thing about it.
It’s not Lyle’s fault. He’s a good farmer.
He’s a share farmer. We are paying one third of every dollar we earn to your sister and her miserable demented husband..
Nugget, Dibs’ adopted Aboriginal son, is suffering at the prejudices of the small town.
Sorry about Annie
Yeah. She cleared out about a month ago. They can make it pretty rough. White teacher living with a black fella. Even the kids in her class were having a go at her..
Hannie Rayson’s brilliant drama takes issues of Australian identity and plays them through the personal tensions of a family. First performed in Melbourne Playhouse in 2003, Inheritance explores the impact of decisions made in the name of blood ties. The family is divided by liberal political views and entrenched racisim. Whilst some of the family have built lives away from the home, others have suffered the diminishing returns of working the land. Not only does the play act as powerful exploration of family divisions, it also stands for a country that questions it’s internal identity.
By turns hilariously funny and tragically moving, this really is an actor’s dream of a play where fully developed characterization takes the audience on an emotional journey, challenging personal intentions and motivations where kinship is concerned. Accents will be required representing rural Western Australia to urban Victoria. Playing ages range from 16-80 with an 6 male and 6 female roles. 1 male actor will need to be of Australian aboriginal descent, (though as I don’t believe we have a current member who would readily fit the bill, we may require some liberal dramatic license...) The production will use a representative rather than naturalistic set and part of the production will be filmed. As always, a tight schedule including some improvisation will require total commitment from the cast.
Cast
Crew
- Stage Manager - SM Name
- Lighting Design - Designer Name
- Lighting Operator - Operator Name
Reviews
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Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
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See Also
References
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