Black Saturday

Tom Oriti as Hugh, Michael Morley as Henry, Kirsten Veness as Nurse Fox and Olivia Thomson as Fiona,
in the Glenbrook Players Production directed by Danny Kingsley

 

Synopsis:

Henry's relationship with his kids is...well, not great. He's a good old fashioned country bloke and when his wife ran off to the city, taking the kids with her, things went downhill. But that was a while ago. And now that Henry's days are numbered he figures it's worth one last shot to win the kids back. If he can't orchestrate a sneaky family reunion sans the ex-wife, he'll go out trying. Why? Sure they're a hopeless bunch; a drunk, a mostly out of work actor (married to a would be princess), and a vet, but blood is thicker than water...or bloodier, at any rate.

Character List:

  • Henry (M 50s) A farmer
  • Fiona (F 50s) Henry's ex-wife
  • Hugh (M, 20s) their son
  • Adam (M, 20s) their other son
  • Justine (F 20s) their daughter
  • Kate (F 20s) Hugh's wife
  • Nurse Fox (F 30s) a nurse
  • Ms Ralph (F 30s) a lawyer.

note - Fiona can be doubles with either Ms Ralph or Nurse Fox

Setting & Requirements:

Multiple locations in Sydney and The Hunter Valley, the recent past. Needs a flexible set. Running time is an hour.

Peter Van Vliet as Henry in Black Saturday, 1998

Production History:

An earlier shorter version of this play was one of the pieces in the collection called Ophelia's Hamlet and Other Plays, which was produced at Studio One, at the University of NSW, Sydney in May 1998, as my playwiting debut. The cast included Rebecca Jee, Tammy Baker, Selene Lewis, Gavin Pawsey, Heath Wilder, Peter Van Vliet and Phil Hopper.

Phil Hopper & Selene Lewis as Hugh & Kate

Tammy Baker as Ms Ralph

The play was subsequently revised and expanded. Glenbrook Players then produced it in May 2003. This production was directed by Danny Kingsley and featured Michael Morley, Jennie Holland, Olivia Thomson, Craig Pope, Tom Oriti, Rhiannon Sawyer and Kristen Veness.

Sample Dialogue:

 

The family at Fiona's apartment for her birthday:

FIONA: This is so lovely. What a nice birthday. The whole family together, breaking bread....

KATE: That's not bread. That's a Bavarian Hazelnut Torte with double glazing.

JACKIE: And the whole family is not here.

FIONA: That's enough Jacqueline. You were the one who didn't want a scene about your father so zip it. Now. Let's take a photo. Must get our picture for the album!

KATE: Can I freshen up first?

HUGH: Relax, Princess; you look sensational.

ADAM: In a good way.

HUGH: Of course in a good way. I said sensational; what other way is there, Idiot?

ADAM: Strippers, car crashes, bearded ladies...they could all fairly be described as sensational.

KATE: Shut up and take the damned picture all ready.

The Glenbrook Players Production, Sydney 2003

At the hospital:

HENRY: Ah, the lovely Nurse Fox, there you are. Nurse Fox, a nurse, meet Ms Ralph, a lawyer. Seeing as you're both here to suck the blood out of me, you should get along famously.

NURSE FOX: He's so charming.

MS RALPH: I don't know how you do it.

NURSE FOX: All that delightful good cheer, those polite manners...I tell you, it's tough sometimes not sticking a needle right in his eye.

HENRY: Hey! Ms Ralph, do you handle medical negligence cases?

MS RALPH: Not yours, Mr. Wilson.

NURSE FOX: It's lovely to meet you, Ms Ralph.

MS RALPH: Likewise, a pleasure indeed.

HENRY: Pass that bowl will you? I feel the urge to throw up.

 

 

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