David JoblingReview | The Pig Iron People
November 17th 2008 07:53
Review: The Pig Iron People
Playwright: John Doyle
Venue: Sydney Opera House – Drama Theatre
Date: 01st November, 2008.
The Pig Iron People is John Doyle’s first play, it resounds with elements of life that intrigue and excite him. His love of language is blindingly obvious if you’ve ever heard his character ‘Roy’, of Roy & HG of JJJ radio fame, and if you haven’t, where have you been since 1985? He also says that he is attracted to intergenerational issues, actors, and the theatre*. The play serves all these masters intimately and gives us an insight into John’s observations of relationships and the politics of co-habiting in an intrinsically emotionally corrupt street from his early life.
The premise of the play is that a young man moves into an established neighbourhood of middle aged and older denizens. He gets a girlfriend and they become involved in the intricacies of their neighbors' lives, their loves, and their idiosyncrasies. The insights Doyle reveals are comical and poignant.
John Doyle began his association with the theatre as an actor in 1980, created ‘Roy’ for radio in 1985, he wrote the television mini-series Marking Time and Changi. He has won a Logie for Most Outstanding Drama, Changi; an AFI and the NSW Premier’s Literary Award, Marking Time; and a Best Documentary SPAA for his documentary with Dr. Tim Flannery, Two Men In A Tinnie. It’s not surprising that he should delve into the medium of the play and with this his first major work he has utilised his insights on the great Australian dream, a home, a car parking spot, and an intimate relationship, with delicate craftsmanship and his usual piquant humour.
Glenn Haseldine is the protagonist Nick who stumbles into this middle Australian street and comments to us, the audience, his experience and insights into the goings on around him. There is the older couple, Janette – Judi Farr and Jack – Danny Adcock, who have been together for many decades but alas unhappily and are resolved in their animosity towards each other. The couple next door, Rosie - Jacki Weaver and Claude - Bruce Venables; Claude met Rosie when he was driving his truck through the country town she lived in, they are devoted to each other and have been together since she was fourteen. Then there is the third neighbour Kurt – Max Cullen, who immigrated from Germany retaining his inflexible attitudes from his early experiences of the early 20th century German psyche. Nick’s girlfriend April – Caroline Craig, moves in with him and the menagerie is completed.
Doyle has produced is an immensely funny and insightful drama that is familiar in it’s eccentric characters from the Australian milieu and gives the opportunity to have a good belly laugh while plumbing the depths of their middle class experience.
Peter McGill
* Sydney Theatre Company’s The Pig Iron People show Program.
Season: From 1st November, 2008 – 8 p.m.
Evenings: Tuesdays – Saturday – 8 p.m.
Twilights: Mondays – 6:30 p.m.
Matinees: Wednesday 26th November - 12:15 p.m.
Saturday – 2 p.m.
Tickets:
Evenings and Twilight shows: Adults - $77; Concession - $62
NB: Concession applies to Australian Pensioners, Full-time Students, Unemployed.
Matinees: Adults - $68; Concession - $56
NB: Concession applies to Australian Seniors only.
Peter McGill.
Sydney Theatre Company and UBS present
THE PIG IRON PEOPLE
By John Doyle
Venue: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Previews: 27-30 October at 8pm All Tickets: $50
Season: From 1 November 8pm - 6 December 8pm
Evenings: Tuesdays – Saturdays 8pm, Mondays 6.30pm
Adults: $77
Concession: $62
Matinees: Wednesdays 1pm (Wednesday 26 November at 12.15pm) Saturdays 2pm Adults: $68 Concession: $56
Night with the Actors: Monday 10 November 6.30pm
Bookings: (02) 9250 1777
27 October to 6 December 2008 (Opens Friday 31 October 2008 at 8pm)
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Writer, broadcaster and actor John Doyle’s new play, The Pig Iron People, is an ironic take on the politics and personalities of the suburban Australian street, exploring the frustrations of the generation gap and the redemptive power of love. Directed by Craig Ilott (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Pillowman), Sydney Theatre Company’s world premiere is at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House from 27 October to 6 December 2008.
Recently divorced teacher Nick, seeking to reinvent himself and find his voice as a writer moves in to Liberal Street in inner-west Sydney on the very day John Howard comes to power. His new neighbors, most of whom grew up under earlier conservative Prime Minister Robert Menzies (aka Pig Iron Bob), have a world view distinctly at odds with his own. Despite his best efforts he finds himself drawn into their lives and as salvation comes through love with eccentric actress April, his cantankerous old neighbours threaten to ruin everything.
As Nick, Glenn Hazeldine returns to Sydney Theatre Company following his memorable performance in 2007’s Don’s Party, while the production marks Caroline Craig’s Main Stage debut with the Company as April. Doyle’s Pig Iron People are brought to life by veteran actors Danny Adcock, Max Cullen, Judi Farr, Bruce Venables and Jacki Weaver.
John Doyle is well known for his iconic creation ‘Rampaging’ Roy Slaven who, with his cohort HG Nelson, has appeared continuously on television and radio since 1985. He is recipient of eight Australian Writers Guild (AWGIE) awards, one for Best Original Mini-Series for Changi, one for Marking Time, three Logies and an AFI Award for Best Television Screenplay and NSW Premier’s Literary Award, again for Marking Time.
Director: Craig Ilott Designer: Stephen Curtis Lighting Designer: Peter Neufeld Sound Designer: Steve Francis
Cast: Danny Adcock, Caroline Craig, Max Cullen, Judi Farr, Glenn Hazeldine, Bruce Venables, Jacki Weaver
Playwright: John Doyle
Venue: Sydney Opera House – Drama Theatre
Date: 01st November, 2008.
The Pig Iron People is John Doyle’s first play, it resounds with elements of life that intrigue and excite him. His love of language is blindingly obvious if you’ve ever heard his character ‘Roy’, of Roy & HG of JJJ radio fame, and if you haven’t, where have you been since 1985? He also says that he is attracted to intergenerational issues, actors, and the theatre*. The play serves all these masters intimately and gives us an insight into John’s observations of relationships and the politics of co-habiting in an intrinsically emotionally corrupt street from his early life.
The premise of the play is that a young man moves into an established neighbourhood of middle aged and older denizens. He gets a girlfriend and they become involved in the intricacies of their neighbors' lives, their loves, and their idiosyncrasies. The insights Doyle reveals are comical and poignant.
John Doyle began his association with the theatre as an actor in 1980, created ‘Roy’ for radio in 1985, he wrote the television mini-series Marking Time and Changi. He has won a Logie for Most Outstanding Drama, Changi; an AFI and the NSW Premier’s Literary Award, Marking Time; and a Best Documentary SPAA for his documentary with Dr. Tim Flannery, Two Men In A Tinnie. It’s not surprising that he should delve into the medium of the play and with this his first major work he has utilised his insights on the great Australian dream, a home, a car parking spot, and an intimate relationship, with delicate craftsmanship and his usual piquant humour.
Glenn Haseldine is the protagonist Nick who stumbles into this middle Australian street and comments to us, the audience, his experience and insights into the goings on around him. There is the older couple, Janette – Judi Farr and Jack – Danny Adcock, who have been together for many decades but alas unhappily and are resolved in their animosity towards each other. The couple next door, Rosie - Jacki Weaver and Claude - Bruce Venables; Claude met Rosie when he was driving his truck through the country town she lived in, they are devoted to each other and have been together since she was fourteen. Then there is the third neighbour Kurt – Max Cullen, who immigrated from Germany retaining his inflexible attitudes from his early experiences of the early 20th century German psyche. Nick’s girlfriend April – Caroline Craig, moves in with him and the menagerie is completed.
Doyle has produced is an immensely funny and insightful drama that is familiar in it’s eccentric characters from the Australian milieu and gives the opportunity to have a good belly laugh while plumbing the depths of their middle class experience.
Peter McGill
* Sydney Theatre Company’s The Pig Iron People show Program.
Season: From 1st November, 2008 – 8 p.m.
Evenings: Tuesdays – Saturday – 8 p.m.
Twilights: Mondays – 6:30 p.m.
Matinees: Wednesday 26th November - 12:15 p.m.
Saturday – 2 p.m.
Tickets:
Evenings and Twilight shows: Adults - $77; Concession - $62
NB: Concession applies to Australian Pensioners, Full-time Students, Unemployed.
Matinees: Adults - $68; Concession - $56
NB: Concession applies to Australian Seniors only.
Peter McGill.
Sydney Theatre Company and UBS present
THE PIG IRON PEOPLE
By John Doyle
Venue: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Previews: 27-30 October at 8pm All Tickets: $50
Season: From 1 November 8pm - 6 December 8pm
Evenings: Tuesdays – Saturdays 8pm, Mondays 6.30pm
Adults: $77
Concession: $62
Matinees: Wednesdays 1pm (Wednesday 26 November at 12.15pm) Saturdays 2pm Adults: $68 Concession: $56
Night with the Actors: Monday 10 November 6.30pm
Bookings: (02) 9250 1777
27 October to 6 December 2008 (Opens Friday 31 October 2008 at 8pm)
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Writer, broadcaster and actor John Doyle’s new play, The Pig Iron People, is an ironic take on the politics and personalities of the suburban Australian street, exploring the frustrations of the generation gap and the redemptive power of love. Directed by Craig Ilott (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Pillowman), Sydney Theatre Company’s world premiere is at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House from 27 October to 6 December 2008.
Recently divorced teacher Nick, seeking to reinvent himself and find his voice as a writer moves in to Liberal Street in inner-west Sydney on the very day John Howard comes to power. His new neighbors, most of whom grew up under earlier conservative Prime Minister Robert Menzies (aka Pig Iron Bob), have a world view distinctly at odds with his own. Despite his best efforts he finds himself drawn into their lives and as salvation comes through love with eccentric actress April, his cantankerous old neighbours threaten to ruin everything.
As Nick, Glenn Hazeldine returns to Sydney Theatre Company following his memorable performance in 2007’s Don’s Party, while the production marks Caroline Craig’s Main Stage debut with the Company as April. Doyle’s Pig Iron People are brought to life by veteran actors Danny Adcock, Max Cullen, Judi Farr, Bruce Venables and Jacki Weaver.
John Doyle is well known for his iconic creation ‘Rampaging’ Roy Slaven who, with his cohort HG Nelson, has appeared continuously on television and radio since 1985. He is recipient of eight Australian Writers Guild (AWGIE) awards, one for Best Original Mini-Series for Changi, one for Marking Time, three Logies and an AFI Award for Best Television Screenplay and NSW Premier’s Literary Award, again for Marking Time.
Director: Craig Ilott Designer: Stephen Curtis Lighting Designer: Peter Neufeld Sound Designer: Steve Francis
Cast: Danny Adcock, Caroline Craig, Max Cullen, Judi Farr, Glenn Hazeldine, Bruce Venables, Jacki Weaver
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