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y separately published work icon The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin single work   drama   - Three acts
Issue Details: First known date: 1975... 1975 The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'The elocution lessons of a boy named Benjamin Franklin bring about the destruction of his teacher, a timid transvestite whose only sexual activity takes place in the world of fantasy.'

Source: 'Noble Technique', Canberra Times, 19 March 1977, p.15.

Notes

  • One-hander.

Affiliation Notes

  • Writing Disability in Australia:

    Type of disability Speech impairment.
    Type of character Primary.
    Point of view First person.

Production Details

  • First produced at the Nimrod Theatre Downstairs, Sydney on 28 August 1976, also by Hoopla Productions at the Grant Street Theatre, Melbourne in 1977. Produced in several countries.

    Revived by director Richard Wherrett at the Seymour Centre in 1984 and again by Wherrett at The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House on 4 January 2002. [Wherrett died prior to the opening of the 2002 season and he nominated Adam Cook to take over the role of director.]

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Notes:
Translations available.

Works about this Work

Wood Shines in Gruelling Classic Helen Thomson , 2002 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 12 September 2002; (p. 4)

— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin Steve J. Spears , 1975 single work drama
Steve J. Spears' King Hit John Mangan , 2002 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 10 September 2002; (p. 4)
Woods Rocks in Solo Role Chelsea Clark , 2002 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 5 January 2002; (p. 20)
Franklin, My Dear Bryce Hallett , 2002 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 10 January 2002; (p. 19)

— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin Steve J. Spears , 1975 single work drama
Spirit of '76 Updated in Tale of Intolerance John McCallum , 2002 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 11 January 2002; (p. 13)

— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin Steve J. Spears , 1975 single work drama
Wood Shines in Gruelling Classic Helen Thomson , 2002 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 12 September 2002; (p. 4)

— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin Steve J. Spears , 1975 single work drama
First Impressions : The Critical Archives Leonard Radic , 1977 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 28 June 2003; (p. 2)

— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin Steve J. Spears , 1975 single work drama
Chater as Brilliant as Ever H. G. Kippax , 1984 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 12 May 1984; (p. 14) A Leader of His Craft : Theatre Reviews by H. G. Kippax 2004; (p. 268-269)

— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin Steve J. Spears , 1975 single work drama
Untitled Roger Pulvers , 1977 single work review
— Appears in: Theatre Australia , May vol. 2 no. 1 1977; (p. 47)

— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin Steve J. Spears , 1975 single work drama
Lacking Dress Sense, and Nudity Adrian Kiernander , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 22 April 1991; (p. 9)

— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin Steve J. Spears , 1975 single work drama
Steve J. Spears' King Hit John Mangan , 2002 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 10 September 2002; (p. 4)
Masterpiece of Literature Returns to the Stage Rama Gaind , 1996 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 27 August 1996; (p. 18)
'Who's the Bigger Dill?' : The Madhouse in Recent Australian Drama Veronica Kelly , 1998 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Body in the Library 1998; (p. 167-184)
A Letter and Three Songs Steve J. Spears , 1985 single work criticism humour
— Appears in: Southerly , December vol. 45 no. 4 1985; (p. 83-86)
Successes From Sydney : Victoria Garrie Hutchinson , 1978 single work column
— Appears in: Theatre Australia , February vol. 2 no. 8 1978; (p. 37-38)
This column discusses theatre productions in Victoria in 1977.

Awards

1979 winner OBIE Award Best Play The 1979 New York production also won Best Actor and Best Director
1977 winner AWGIE Awards Stage Award
1977 winner AWGIE Awards Major Award
1976 winner National Critics Award for Best New Play
Last amended 17 Apr 2019 14:04:57
Settings:
  • Toorak, South Yarra - Glen Iris area, Melbourne - Inner South, Melbourne, Victoria,
  • 1970s
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