Theatre
The following clips have teachers’ notes related to this topic:
Recollection of childhood
Three Jewish comedians, Deb Filler from New Zealand, Sandy Gutman (Austen Tayshus) from Melbourne and American Moshe Waldoks, talk about their childhoods as children of Holocaust survivors.
New vocabulary
Choreographer Meryl Tankard says she tries to create a 'new vocabulary’ whenever she creates a new dance piece. We see her rehearsing a new piece with the Adelaide based company, Australian Dance Theatre. A member …
‘Ten years on’
In the decade since That Eye, the Sky (1986) was published to rave reviews, there has been a theatrical version by Justin Monjo and Richard Roxburgh and now a film adaptation by Melbourne director John …
Cinderella
This clip depicts a marionette theatre performance of the fairytale Cinderella. It begins with a pop-up book depicting scenes from the story and then the marionettes perform the tale. It shows the puppeteers above the …
‘Hiding behind a character’
Actor Max Gillies is a guest on Michael Parkinson’s show. The then Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, is also a guest. Gillies uses gestures, make-up and voice impersonation to pretend to be the real Bob …
Tommy with an ‘s’
The Victoria Police recruiting sergeant (Marshall Crosby) tries to get Tommy Wallace (George Wallace) to give his name, place of birth, age and mother’s name. Each question is misunderstood by the simple Tommy, who …
King Oedipus
Interviewed in 1992, Ruth Cracknell reflects on her exploration of more dramatic roles and the opportunity to work with theatre director, Tyrone Guthrie. The clip intercuts historical footage of Cracknell rehearsing the part of Jocasta …
‘A star is torn’
Australian singer Robyn Archer talks about the singers who have influenced her work. Archer says that her grandparents were music hall entertainers and that she has inherited some of that talent. She recalls appearing at …
Starting to happen
Wayne Blair talks about his experience as an actor and the roles that are offered to him as an Aboriginal man.
Conversations
Wayne Blair talks about the experience of acting in the play Conversations with the Dead, and the television series Water Rats (2001), discussing the pitfalls of being an actor in work, and out of work.
The lover
Roger Pascoe (Colin Friels) is directing his wife (Elizabeth Alexander) and their actor friend and drama teacher (Linden Wilkinson) in the play by Strindberg The Stronger.
David Williamson at La Mama
Australian playwright David Williamson recalls meeting his wife, Kristin, at La Mama Theatre Company where they were both performing. Kristin also recalls the tall awkward young David. Williamson talks about Australian plays being popular with …
