AustLit

'The revealing and candid memoir of Australia's legendary playwright and screenwriter

'The definitive memoir of David Williamson, author of iconic dramas such as The Removalists, The Club, Don's Party, Emerald City and Travelling North, as well as more than fifty other plays, explores the life of the writer and the true stories and real lives that inspired his works. A powerful force in theatre since the 1970s, Williamson's plays have uniquely explored the pulse of our Australianness.

'After five decades of chronicling the blunders, mishaps and messes that he and his fellow Australians got themselves into, Williamson has penned his long-awaited memoir, Home Truths. It reveals the story of the man behind the work: how a childhood defined by marital discord sparked a lifelong fascination with the power of drama to explore emotional conflict; how a mechanical engineering student became our most successful playwright; the anxiety that plagued him as he crafted his plays; the joy of connecting with an audience and the enduring sting of the critics; and the great love story that defined his personal life.

'Fearless, candid and witty, Williamson also writes about the plethora of odd, interesting, caustic and brilliant people - actors, directors, writers, theatre critics, politicians - who have intersected with his life and work: from a young Jacki Weaver and Chris Haywood in the first Sydney production of The Removalists in 1971, to Nicole Kidman on the brink of stardom in the 1988 feature film of Emerald City, and lively dinners with political powerhouse Paul Keating; and from Graham Kennedy in the 1976 film version of Don's Party through eventful overseas travels with Gareth Evans, Peter Carey, and Tim Winton to a West End production of Up for Grabs starring Madonna, and the satisfaction of seeing his sons, Felix and Rory, tread the boards in several of his own plays.' (Publication summary)

'A celebrated federal judge.

'His son, a born-again Christian.

'His daughter, a Border Force officer.

'Her partner, the captain of a Border Force ship.

'His other daughter, a left-wing activist.

'His wife, who has worked all her life to keep the family together.

'Saba, an asylum seeker on the run from Nauru.

'On the eve of his birthday, is it too much to expect his wife and three children celebrate with him?'

Source: Griffin Theatre Company.

'Sparkling with razor sharp wit and humour, CRUNCH TIME tackles pertinent social issues head-on in this tale of family and duty. Don’t miss Australian theatre heavy-weight David Williamson’s final play before retirement.'

Source: Ensemble Theatre.

'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)

'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.

'Peter Corris, the ‘Godfather of Australian crime fiction’, died in his sleep on 30 August 2018. His Godfather columns have been part of the Newtown Review of Books from the beginning, and we feel his loss keenly.' 

'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.

'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)

'CREDENTIALS takes a darkly comic look at the widening gulf between those Australians born into security, opportunity and education, and those who have to fight for their life to get any of those things.'

Source: La Mama Theatre program.

'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)

'Jack may be a loveable loser but his partner Emma is considering trading up for a loveable winner. Enter smooth, successful Carl: arrogant, sexy and just what she needs. Ignoring her best friend’s warning, Emma dives in head – and heart – first. Meanwhile, Jack devises a radical plan to get her back – and where better than a tropical paradise to shake off your relationship woes?

'Ensemble Theatre is delighted to welcome The Chaser’s Chris Taylor and Craig Reucassel, teaming up with David Williamson in a brand new play from the master of social comedy.' (Production summary)

'Dana and Paul finally have it all – creative careers, a baby on the way… and an apartment in Bondi. They can’t quite believe their luck. As it turns out, they shouldn’t. With an ex-lover, her jealous husband and a kleptomaniac for neighbours, things are bound to get complicated!' (Production summary)

'The latest hilarious comedy from the pen of Australia’s most popular playwright, David Williamson. Three couples book themselves on the Queen Mary II to enjoy a luxury escape from reality, but instead find themselves trapped in the hellish world of designated dinner seating and B-grade cabaret. Amongst the endless stream of Dom Perignon and Tequila Sunrises, this holiday cruise unfolds into a bedlam of sexual tension and drowning relationships.

'CRUISE CONTROL takes the audience on a voyage of immense comedy and gripping tension. Guaranteed to make you laugh.' (Production summary)

'Australia's best-known playwright returns to MTC as we've never seen him before, using the greatest media scandal of modern times as the launchpad for a maverick theatrical presentation.

'Rupert Murdoch was born in Melbourne to one of the most powerful families in the nation. And it was here that his astonishing career began. Right-wing demigod, charismatic businessman, devoted father, news baron with printer's ink in his veins - Rupert is seemingly omniscient and omnipotent. And then came the Leveson Inquiry.

'A world premiere, this enthralling political fantasia sees Rupert forging his destiny, and making our history, in what promises to be one of the most discussed plays of the decade.' (Source: Melbourne Theatre Company website)