The Playwrights Database
JANET BROWN
Nationality: Australian
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Janet Brown is an Australian playwright. With Joanne Ryan she co-wrote a Hole In the Ground which was produced at La Mama's Carlton Courthouse and the Wyndham Cultural Centre in 2004 after extensive script development from the Melbourne Theatre Company. the play explored the No Toxic Dump Campaign fought by the Werribee community in 1996-1998. Since then she has had several plays produced in Melbourne and the Surf Coast of VictoriA. Janet has also published a novel, the Shaded Side, and her short stories and essays are published in literary journals in Australia and the US. She is a graduate of Melbourne University (Bachelor of Science education) with a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from Victoria University.
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below is a list of Janet Brown's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Buying Time Cherished Defection Depths, The Dolly Stainer Of Kew Cottages Hole In the Ground, A Infiltration Ladybird, The Le Jardin De Ma Mere Mad Madge One Plain, One Purl Princess, A Pea, A Shaded Side, The Water, Water YouBuying Time
Synopsis:
Set in Melbourne, Australia in 2005. eve was a sperm-donor baby born in the late 1970s. Her biological father, Paul, at last agrees to meet her. He has an ulterior motive. Paul is an academic and a world renowned bridge designer. eve's a PhD student studying Waterloo Teeth, which were the first false teeth that came from the bodies of dead soldiers from the battlefields. eve's mother Jane was aboriginal. as the relationships between Paul and eve, Helen and adam twist and change, questions are asked about the role of fathers in today's society and the commodification of childbirth and appropriation of the human body. Working with nature or working around nature? It is a tragedy.
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Genre:
90 min
Parts:
Male: 2-3 Female: 2-3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageCherished
Synopsis:
an adaptation of two of Colette's novels - 'Cheri' and 'the Last of Cheri'. Set just before the First World War begins, in Paris, Fred ('Cheri'), the young son of a wealthy courtesan has been educated in the ways of love by Lea, a middle-aged friend of his mother. Fred is forced to give up the six-year relationship when he marries young edmee, but he cannot forget his former lover. Ten years later, after serving as a soldier in the war and returning to an unsatisfying life and marriage in Paris, he re-visits Lea. Colette, the writer, appears in the play as a narrator and her scenes are set in 1948 when she is elderly and visited for an interview about her life and work by a young Truman Capote. (Colette's work came out of copyright in Australia in 2005).
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
90 min
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageDefection
Synopsis:
In 1980 Heidi Giersch defected from east Berlin. a ballet dancer on tour in Australia with the renowned Komische Oper Berlin, she sought political asylum. 'Defection' is a short play about her experiences.
Notes:
Part of the Making Waves touring production of 5 short plays
1st Produced:
Qdos Arts Lorne 2011
Organisations:
Brown Fairthorne Theatre Projects
1st Published:
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Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
Short play
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageDepths, The
Synopsis:
It's the fall-out of the GFC. a businessman has just about lost the lot - his job, his wife, his home. He's asleep on a cray boat. When he wakes he has some explaining to do to the enigmatic fisherman.
Notes:
Part of the Making Waves touring production of 5 short plays
1st Produced:
Qdos Arts Lorne 2011
Organisations:
Brown Fairthorne Theatre Projects
1st Published:
- -
Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Short play
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageDolly Stainer Of Kew Cottages
This play is based on the real life story of Dolly Stainer. Dolly was admitted to Kew Idiot Asylum as a child of five in 1915. It was to be her home for the next seventy five years. A neglected and recalcitrant child, she was labelled a 'lunatic from admission, although she most certainly was not. Dolly soon learns how things operate at Kew and her natural abilities earn her the status of working girl, running the laundry and looking after other residents. How does Dolly develop her powerful, loving and complex personality in this institution? Dollys poignant story highlights her world of institutionalised care in twentieth century Australia. An earlier version of this play was published by Currency Press and listed for VCE Theatre and Drama Studies.
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1st Produced:
Carlton Courthouse 2006
Organisations:
Soul Theatre and La Mama
1st Published:
Currency press, Australia, 2006
http://australianplays.org/script/ASC-1621 -
http://australianplays.org/script/ASC-1621 -
Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
Drama; naturalism and non-naturalism; based on a true story 70 min
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageHole In the Ground, A
Synopsis:
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Notes:
written by Joanne Ryan And Janet Brown
1st Produced:
Carlton Courthouse And Wyndham Cultural Centre 2004
Organisations:
La Mama
1st Published:
Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Full-Length 150 mins Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageInfiltration
Synopsis:
a wealthy powerful media baron, Perry Cracker, is about to have a kidney transplant from his chauffeur Bob. Months later, Perry fears that the soul of his donor is taking over his personality. His confidant is the indomitable Irma Rosebud, former editor of Australian Woman and Lifestyle Magazine. Irma has forsaken all others (Perry, Barry Jones, Geoffrey Robertson and Stephen Hawking) for a 'very special relationship' with Bob. Meanwhile, Perry's 19 year old son Jason is climbing Mt everest, attempting to be the youngest Australian to make it to the summit. Ultimately, Perry wants the kidney out, there's a death on the mountain and a resurrection, Channel Seven's Kochie and Mel are sponsoring the climb (much to Perry's chagrin) and why do people help others anyway? Can you be a hero if you're not a footballer or a cricketer? Viagra saves the sherpa and who is Jason's real dad?
Notes:
there is Also A musical version of this script - it's 2 hours long, And the proposed songs (subject to rights) Are An eclectic range by: Typically Tropical, Kenny Rodgers, elvis Presley, Men At Work, Def Leppard, Joe Jackson, Billy Thorpe, Johnny Cash, Coldplay, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Guns & Roses, Crowded House And Bonnie Tyler.
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
90 min Satire
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageLadybird, The
Synopsis:
an adaptation of the Ladybird, a novElla by D H Lawrence. a Bohemian count is a wounded prisoner of war, recovering in a military hospital in england. He is visited by an english woman whose husband is a soldier in the war. as she continues to visit him, they develop an unusual and compelling relationship. This is a moving and emotional play that explores notions of loss, belonging and need.
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
60 min adaptation
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageLe Jardin De Ma Mere
Synopsis:
French writer Colette wrote 'sido' as a tribute to her mother in 1929. Janet Brown's adaptation of this story is performed in 4 movements. the play is narrated by Colette as she reflects on her childhood in provincial France with her adored mother Sido.
Notes:
adaptation of Colette's novElla Sido
1st Produced:
Wintergarden Gallery Geelong 2010
Organisations:
Brown Fairthorne Theatre Projects
1st Published:
- -
Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
adaptation
Parts:
Male: - Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageMad Madge
Synopsis:
It's 1670. the eccentric Margaret Cavendish, quite possibly england's first woman of science, wants to meet you.
Notes:
Part of the Small Bites touring production of 6 short plays
1st Produced:
Potato Shed Drysdale 2010
Organisations:
Brown Fairthore Theatre Projects
1st Published:
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Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
monologue
Parts:
Male: - Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageOne Plain, One Purl
Synopsis:
This play is set in various places in Australia in 2003. It consists of a series of interrupted monologues. each character tells their story while they are knitting. Jenny is co-ordinator of a Migrant Resource Centre in Melbourne's inner suburbs which has just been closed due to financial mismanagement. She's pre-occupied by Prime Minister John Howard's treatment of refugees. Mary's a grandmother with a nasty streak. Trevor's wondering whether or not to 'try again' with his long-time lover, Duncan. Margaret's shy, middle aged and married - and having an affair with beautiful Oliver. Mr B is a frustrated secondary school creative Arts and Drama teacher. Dave is a lawyer and about to assist his dearest friend with euthanasia.
Notes:
This play is set in Australia in 2003. It consists of A series of interrupted monologues. 70 mins
1st Produced:
Anglesea Performing Arts Produced A Modified Version Of This Play 2005
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
70 min
Parts:
Male: 1-3 Female: 1-3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PagePrincess, A Pea, A
Synopsis:
the queen is reminiscing. This is her earthy, sultry version of the famous fairytale: expect the unexpected.
Notes:
Part of the Small Bites touring production of 6 short plays
1st Produced:
Potato Shed Drysdale 2010
Organisations:
Brown Fairthore Theatre Projects
1st Published:
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Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Monologue - short play
Parts:
Male: - Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageShaded Side, The
Synopsis:
This play explores secrecy, stigma and taboo. In 1998 Jenny, aged in her fifties, is seeking the identity of her birth mother. Much of the story is set in Melbourne in the 1940s, when ellen is a young woman and a patient at a tuberculosis sanatorium. ellen, a devout Catholic, becomes pregnant to a male patient, Rob, who dies and she gives birth to Jennifer as an unmarried mother at a time when that was shameful. a pact is made between ellen and her sister Mary: Mary formally adopts Jennifer and raises her. Jenny is told the common lie told to folk adopted in the 1940s that 'Your mother died at your birth and your Father died in the war.' ellen's life is diminished by her guilt, shame and vulnerability. Times and values change. Now a mature woman, how will Jenny react to the truth?
Notes:
an Adaptation of the novel 'the Shaded Side', by Janet Brown, published in 2003
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
120 min
Parts:
Male: 2-5 Female: 3-8 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageWater, Water
Synopsis:
She's experienced devastating floods in her country town. Now it's time to decide where her 'place' will be. an ode to the complexities of decisions, decisions.
Notes:
Part of the Making Waves touring production of 5 short plays
1st Produced:
Qdos Arts Lorne 2011
Organisations:
Brown Fairthorne Theatre Projects
1st Published:
- -
Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Short play - monologue
Parts:
Male: - Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageYou
Synopsis:
Two lives in one verse, 'You' is a poetic and poignant exploration of a long marriage. First produced by Brown Fairthorne, it was then selected as part of the Short and Sweet Gala in December 2010.
Notes:
Part of the Small Bites touring production of 6 short plays
1st Produced:
Potato Shed Drysdale 2010
Organisations:
Brown Fairthorne Theatre Projects
1st Published:
- -
Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Short play
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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