AustLit
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Adaptations
-
form
y
The Sum of Us
( dir. Geoff Burton
et. al. )agent
Australia
:
Hal McElroy Southern Star
,
1994
Z872630
1994
single work
film/TV
Set in Sydney, The Sum of Us explores the relationship between Harry, a charming, beer-drinking, down-to-earth widower, and Jeff, his gay son. Harry is the caring 'mate' whose open-mindedness borders on being annoying. Jeff unsuccessfully searches for love with the unwanted guidance of his father.
Notes
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Adapted for the 1994 film The Sum of Us by David Stevens
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Note that the playscript version of The Sum of Us is set in Melbourne (Footscray, etc). The film and filmscript versions are set in Sydney (Balmain, etc.).
Production Details
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First performed at the University of Southern California (directed by Dorothy Lyman) and later performed at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 1989 and at the Cherry Lane Theatre, New York in 1990 (both directed by Kevin Dowling).
First performed in Australia by the Sydney Theatre Company at the Wharf Studio, Sydney on 1 February 1992.
Presented by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company at Perth Festival, with an entirely First Nations cast.
Director: Eva Grace Mullaley.
Assistant Director: Cezera Critti-Schnaars.
Producer: Elinor King.
Production Manager: Mike Nanning.
Set & Costume Designer: Bryan Woltjen.
Assistant Set & Costume Designer: Jamie Fodor.
Lighting Designer: Peter Young.
Sound Designer & Composer: Joe Paradise Lui.
Assistant Sound Designer: Zac James.
Cast: Mathew Cooper, Bruce Denny, Janine Oxenham & Joshua Pether.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
- Write About What You Know single work criticism
-
Not Your Typical Father & Son Story : The Making Of The Sum Of Us
2018
single work
column
— Appears in: FilmInk , 23 August 2018; -
Acting Out
2011
single work
column
— Appears in: Brisbane News , 7 - 13 September no. 849 2011; (p. 16) -
Father and Son Spin a Fine Yarn
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 20 - 21 August 2011; (p. 17)
— Review of The Sum of Us 1990 single work drama -
Father-and-Son Act a Story that Explores Love
2011
single work
column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 15 July 2011; (p. 12)
-
The Arts : Theatre
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 18 June 2011; (p. 26)
— Review of The Sum of Us 1990 single work drama -
Father and Son Spin a Fine Yarn
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 20 - 21 August 2011; (p. 17)
— Review of The Sum of Us 1990 single work drama -
ArtsNews
1990
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 13 November 1990; (p. 14)
— Review of The Sum of Us 1990 single work drama -
Human Pluses Fall Short of Total Success
1992
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian , 4 February 1992; (p. 9)
— Review of The Sum of Us 1990 single work drama -
Two Cheers for Cheerfulness
1992
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 5 July 1992; (p. 12)
— Review of The Sum of Us 1990 single work drama -
Father-and-Son Act a Story that Explores Love
2011
single work
column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 15 July 2011; (p. 12) -
Acting Out
2011
single work
column
— Appears in: Brisbane News , 7 - 13 September no. 849 2011; (p. 16) -
When Boy Gets Boy
1994
single work
criticism
biography
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 16-17 July 1994; (p. 3) -
Life for Some is More than Equal to Its Parts
1992
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 21 January 1992; (p. 10) -
From Hit Movie to Australian Stage
1990
single work
column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 17 October 1990; (p. 28)
Awards
- 1990-1991 winner Outer Critics Circle Award (New York) — Best Off Broadway Play
- Footscray, Footscray - Maribyrnong area, Melbourne - West, Melbourne, Victoria,