Following their sellout season of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, Holden Street Theatres’ resident theatre company Red Phoenix return with the Adelaide premiere of David Williamson’s Don Parties On.
When the most popular playwright in Australia’s theatrical history decides to write a sequel to one of his most iconic plays, it’s time to prepare for something special.
l to r: Adrian Barns (Mal), Wayne Anthoney (Don) and Brian Godfrey (Cooley)
In 1971, Don’s Party became a sensation as Williamson’s deeply satirical voice cut through a very thin veneer of social etiquette to expose Australia’s middle class as it had never before been seen on stage. 40 years later, it’s time for another election night party at Don‘s house. It’s the evening of the knife-edge battle between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott and the gang is back together to show us exactly why politics and strong personalities should never be mixed with alcohol.
Red Phoenix Theatre’s Artistic Director, Michael Eustice says that, ” Don Parties On is every bit as funny, provocative and naughty as the original but it brings much, much more. Don, Kath and their friends have now lived their lives and built their own families, but can they be honest about how well they’ve done that? Amongst the hearty laughs and outrageous comedy, there is a reflection on bigger questions. How far has Australian society really come in the last 40 years? What have we done with our lives and what lessons have we passed on to the next generation?”
Don Parties On doesn’t depend on knowing the original play. It is a story for today and it delightfully demonstrates Williamson’s continuing ability to lift the social veneer from each new generation of Australians. But for those who do love and remember the original it also gleefully slams down the nostalgia button.
Wayne Anthoney as Don and Lyn Wilson as Jenny
Williamson has made many comments about why he decided to write Don Parties On. He expresses a clear sense of frustration at the ostrich like behaviour of many politicians in the face of looming disasters such as global warming. He argues that the baby boomers were the most fortunate generation on our earth and yet instead of working to make our world a better place they over indulged and simply partied on.Williamson has even referred to this play as an apology from his generation to those that follow. As usual, he masterfully takes these important themes and wraps them in rich tapestry of comedy and pathos.
Directed by Michael Eustice, Don Parties On features a popular and award winning cast of Adelaide actors including Wayne Anthoney, Adrian Barnes, Jessica Carroll, Brant Eustice, Brian Godfrey, Julie Quick, Victoria Morgan, Kate van der Horst, and Lyn Wilson
David Williamson is the most produced playwright in the history of Australian theatre. For over forty years his plays have continued to attract strong audiences around the country and the world. He has won four AFI awards and the Australian Writers’ Guild AWGIE award eleven times. He has received honorary Doctorates of Literature from the University of Sydney (1988), Monash University (1990), Swinburne University of Technology (1996) and the University of Queensland (2004).
When: Evening Performances: Thurs – Sat, Nov 10 – 12 and Wed – Sat, Nov 16 – 19 @ 7.30pm. Matinee Performance: Sun, Nov 13 @ 2pm. Please note that Opening Night (Thurs 10 Nov) is SOLD OUT!!
Where: Holden Street Theatres – The Studio, 34 Holden Street, Hindmarsh (next to Coopers Stadium) PARKING AVAILABLE. .N.B. Soccer is on at the stadium on the 11th November – go to Holden Street Theatres Box Office online to get your car park pass for the Adelaide Entertainment Centre car park when you purchase your ticket.
2010 Federal Election, Adrian Barnes, Australian Plays, Australian Politics, Brant Eustice, Brian Godfrey, David Williamson, Holden Street Theatres, Jessica Carroll, Julie Quick, Kate van der Horst, Lyn Wilson, Michael Eustice, Red Phoenix Theatre Company, Sequel, Victoria Morgan, Wayne Anthoney
