AustLit
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Australia’s most well-known playwright, David Williamson, returns with four new plays—three comedies that demonstrate his continued skill at tapping into the zeitgeist, alongside a sweeping historical drama.
'In Nearer the Gods, Williamson brilliantly recreates Sir Isaac Newton’s battle with the Royal Society to prove his astonishing universal theory of gravity. In Sorting Out Rachel Williamson steps onto fertile ground with a social comedy about legacy, greed, entitlement and making good on past relationships. In The Big Time best friends are put to the test in a satirical comedy set in the celebrity world of TV, film and theatre. In Odd Man Out a couple navigate the emotional terrain of a new relationship, which turns out to be less typical than either of them expect.'
(Publication summary)
Contents
-
Nearer the Gods,
single work
drama
'Isaac Newton’s laws of motion are the foundation of countless human advancements. This is the story of how one of the greatest moments of scientific illumination almost didn’t happen.
'It’s 1684, the dawn of the Enlightenment. Bright young astronomer Edmund Halley must somehow wrangle the secrets of the universe from the brain of fickle and contrary Isaac Newton. At the same time he must wrestle with his faith and risk his home, family and reputation to find the money and means to share this beautiful, powerful theory with the world at large.
'For all the celestial bodies and scientific laws named after them, it’s easy to think of our 17th Century giants of science as infallible geniuses. But here are our most powerful minds laid bare: riddled with self-doubt, squabbling over fame, and ensconced in bitter intellectual rivalries.'
Source: Queensland Theatre Company.
-
Sorting Out Rachel,
single work
drama
'When it comes to business Bruce knows what to do. You’ve got to out-bite the sharks and twist a good deal before you get screwed. But as the years go by and his legacy starts to loom, his thoughts turn to his exasperated daughter, her social climbing husband and his granddaughter, Rachel, who unfortunately takes after him. Perhaps it’s time to make amends. Can Bruce solve his family issues without giving away a long-held secret?' (Production summary)
-
The Big Time,
single work
drama
'Celia and Vicki were best friends at drama school, but the game of life has dealt them very different hands.
'Celia is a high profile soap star earning ridiculous amounts of money and the requisite harbourside views. Meanwhile Vicki is scraping by in gritty, critically acclaimed roles in independent theatre.
'When Vicki proposes they collaborate on an ambitious new film project, it could be a big opportunity for both of them to prove their mettle in the industry. But are Vicki’s motives as well-intentioned as they seem, or will jealousy rear its ugly head?'
Source: Ensemble Theatre.
-
Odd Man Out,
single work
drama
humour
romance
'It starts like a fairy-tale romance: Ryan tells Alice she has a beautiful smile, and suddenly he is asking her out. Alice has never met anyone like Ryan before: he’s charming, forthright and painfully truthful. David Williamson’s brand new comedy is about love, tolerance and acceptance.' (Summary)
