The Playwrights Database
NED MANNING
(1950 - )Nationality: Australian
email: n/a Website: n/a
Literary Agent: RGM Artist Group
Ned MaNNING is a playwright, actor and teacher. He teaches Drama at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in Sydney and is a member of the Writers Group, 7-ON. Ned has written a number of plays with large casts for high school students. He has also written two plays about the Stolen Generations as well as many plays for adults. He is currently commissioned by the Bell Shakespeare Company to write their actors at Work program. as an actor Ned starred in the cult classic Dead end Drive In as well as playing Mr Coote in the teen hit, Looking For alibrandi. He has appeared in many Australian television and theatrical productions.
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below is a list of Ned Manning's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Action Inaction Alice Dreaming Belonging Bridge Is Down, The Close To the Bone Conspirators Daggers Drawn Flash Stockman, The Gods Of War Hamlet Intensive Kenny's Coming Home Kim Last One Standing Love's Magic Luck Of the Draw Macbeth Intensive Magic Box Milo Not This Litlle Black Duck Romeo And Juliet Intensive Stories From the 428 Trick Or Treat Trust And Betrayal Us Or Them Women Of TroyAction Inaction
Synopsis:
Action Inaction is an exploration of Hamlet and King Lear that focusses on the central characters choices and the ramifications of those choices. Four Actors discover Shakespeare's world, language, characters and innate theatricality by forging links between the plays and the contemporary world. Themes raised include conflict within families (both sibling rivalries and parent/child tensions), blended families and filial loyalty. The script also examines the rhythm of the language and the innate theatricality of the plays
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Shakespeare meets the contemporary world 90 min
Parts:
Male: 9+ Female: 9+ Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageAlice Dreaming
a teenage girl is struggling with her identity and feels trapped by the expectations of the outside world. the pressure of life as a teenager results in her escaping into the world of her imagination. She is befriended by an albatross who guides her on a journey of self discovery by opening her eyes to the outside world. Alice is exposed to issues of teenage identity, environmental degradation, ecological survival, friendship, parental relationships, political power play and social responsibility. the style of the play is Non-naturalistic and lends itself to the possibility of puppetry, mask work, multi media and a whole range of theatrical styles.
Notes:
This play is designed for A large cast but may be performed by As few As ten Actors. there Are countless Chorus roles As well As the potential for doubling. Many of the roles Are non gender specific.
1st Produced:
Atyp Walsh Bay Sydney
21 Nov 2006
Organisations:
aTYP
1st Published:
Cambridge University Press 978-0521166263
Music:
-
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Genre:
Young People.
Parts:
Male: 7 Female: 10 Other: 12-20
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageBelonging
Over three years, Australia's new writing theatre, Griffin theatre Company, presented fourteen unique short plays across its mainstage season. Seen for one night only, the fates, Seasons and the Seven Needs were three play cycles provoked by the classical mythology of man's inescapable destiny, the seasonal patterns and Maslow's Pyramid of Human Needs. Now , this eclectic and fascinating collection of ten minute plays by some of the country's most established and emerging playwrights becomes Short Circuit.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
SBW Stables Theatre, Sydney, ANZ >>>
11 Sep 2007
Organisations:
Griffin Theatre Company
1st Published:
Music:
-
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Genre:
Ten Min
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageBridge Is Down, The
Synopsis:
the Bridge is Down is a light-hearted look at life in Australia in 1954, the year of the Royal Visit. a torrential downpour forces ten women (amongst them a private school debating team, a Nun, a socialite, an actress) to take shelter in a shearing shed. Caught up in the optimism (or naivety) of the period their attitudes reflect the huge changes in Australian society since then.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Pact Youth Theatre
01 Sep 1993
Organisations:
Pact Youth Theatre
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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Genre:
60 mins, Young People One act
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 10 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageClose To the Bone
Close to the Bone deals with the forced removal of aboriginal children from their families and the subsequent turmoil this Government policy caused to those who became known as the Stolen Generations. the play is also a story of survival and resilience. Whilst the first half takes place in rural Australia in the 1960's, the second half is set in Redfern and is a celebration of Indigenous life in the city. "This play presents the issue of the Stolen Generations with an authentic aboriginal voice". Linda Burney MP NSW Parliament.
Notes:
Developed by Manning with his Aboriginal students At the eora Centre in Redfern, this play examines the forced Adoption of Aboriginal children. Close to the Bone is written for school students And contains songs And music. It could be performed by A cast of 7 but has the potential to be performed by A much larger cast.
1st Produced:
Eora Centre, Redfern Nsw.
21 Sep 1991
Organisations:
eORa Centre for aboriginal Performing and Visual Arts.
1st Published:
Paddington, NSW : Currency Press, 1994 978-0868193892
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play with music.
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 11 Other: 4
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageConspirators
Synopsis:
Four Actors explore the language and themes of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and Othello. The Actors comment on the action of the scenes and sometimes enter the scenes to comment. They play with the rhythm of Shakespeare's language and discover how Shakespeare uses language to create meaning and reveal character. The role of prose and verse in defining action and character is discussed. There are many contemporary references in the script as the Actors search for what might be relevant in Shakespeare to an audience today. Issues such as bullying, plotting and conspiracy are discussed as a way of opening up the two plays themes. The script also investigates the issue of multicultural and cross gender casting.
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
A contemporary take on Shakespeare 55 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageDaggers Drawn
Synopsis:
This script focusses on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and Macbeth. Four Actors wrestle with themes raised by both plays as they discover Shakespeare's world, language, characters and theatricality. The script looks at the dilemmas facing the central characters in both plays and how they go about resolving those dilemmas. It examines the consequences of the characters actions and how they affect the world of each play. The Actors enter scenes to explore the playing of scenes and the inherent theatricality of both plays. They examine the language in detail and how delivery of the language informs the action and the characters. Issues such as cross casting are discussed as is the nature of the Elizabethan world.
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
A contemporary take on Shakespeare 45 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageFlash Stockman, The
Synopsis:
a young girl visits her grandFather and is introduced to life in rural Australia and to the music that inspired him. It is a cross generational story in which an old Australia comes into contact with new Australia and where each generation learns about the other through the music that affected them.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Swy Theatre Perth
31 Oct 1987
Organisations:
SWY Theatre Perth
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play with music.
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageGods Of War
Synopsis:
the innocence of Australian life in 1939 is shattered by the outbreak of war. the subsequent awakening of a nation is reflected through the lives of the characters in Gods of War. the battle rages both at home and abroad, with those left behind as deeply affected as those on the battlefields. Neither the country nor its people will ever be the same again.
Notes:
Variable cast And variable gender with opportunities for large cast production.
1st Produced:
Queanbeyan High School
2009
Organisations:
Queanbeyan High School
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Drama written for schools or large community groups 120 mins Young People
Parts:
Male: 17 Female: 9 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageHamlet Intensive
Synopsis:
Every generation has their Hamlet. From Edmund Kean to John Bell to Brendan Cowell. Hamlet is a play for the ages and Hamlet Intensive investigates the many and varied ways Shakespeare's great tragedy has been interpreted. Four actors discover what motivates Hamlet, what prevents him from acting and what obstacles stand in his way. They also reveal the radical nature of Shakespeare's characterisation of a man torn by inner and external conflict. Hamlet was a thinker, a renaissance man, who didn't just respond to what was in front of him. The script explores how a modern audience might "read" the play in terms of sound, lighting, music and acting styles as well as Hamlet's relationship with the audience.
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
A contemporary take on Shakespeare 45 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageKenny's Coming Home
the Green family has moved out of the inner city into the Western suburbs. the family's move has been prompted by Dad's political ambitions. When the local MP drops dead playing squash Dad seizes the opportunity to satisfy these lifelong political ambitions. However, his political leanings so horrify his sister, aunt Dorothy, that she decides to stand against him. aunt Dorothy sees Dad as a traitor to Labor ideals, the ideals of Ben Chifley. Dad is unperturbed for he knows son Kenny, a local football legend, is on his way home and will bolster his campaign. Sadly for Dad Kenny is not the person he was. the family is thrown into turmoil in this political satire told with the addition of twelve rollicking songs.
Notes:
by Ned Manning, music and lyrics by Shane McNamara
1st Produced:
Q Theatre, Penrith.
16 Nov 1991
Organisations:
Q Theatre, Penriith
1st Published:
Currency Press, Australia (2016) >>> 978-1-92500-596-7
Music:
-
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Genre:
Musical Satire
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageKim
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageLast One Standing
Synopsis:
Joe's world is falling apart. Literally. His son and daughter collude to try and convince him to sell out and move into an Old Peoples Home. But selling out is not in Joe's nature. He is an idealist who rails against the march of time and the rising tide of rampant materialism. He is sustained by his wife Ruth's vision and his need to redress the horrors of his wartime past.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Old Fitzroy Hotel
01 Apr 2007
Organisations:
Old Fitzroy Hotel
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/, 2009 -
Music:
-
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:
adult Drama
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageLove's Magic
Synopsis:
Love's Magic is an examination of the nature of love in Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. It focusses on the random nature of love and its magic. Four Actors explore the universal truths about love and how those truths are still relevant today. They demystify Shakespeare's language by using contemporary analogies. They examine Shakespeare's world and belief systems and look at how love can change the course of lives. The tension between the Actors reflects the tension between the characters. As they make these discoveries, the Actors explore the unique properties of theatre and the relationship between audience and performers. The comic and tragic possibilities of love are dissected and revealed as the Actors own relationships are reflected in the scenes they play.
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
A combination of Shakespeare and contemporary performance styles 60 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageLuck Of the Draw
Luck of the Draw traces one family's plight when enforced separation crosses generations and challenges the family's existence. It is a story of survival against the odds and celebrates the resilience of Indigenous family and cultural life. While the Australian Government has finally said "Sorry", Reconciliation has been a life-long struggle for those directly affected by past Government policy. as the play explores the disastrous attempt at social engineering it also searches for a way of living with the past so that black and white Australians can travel together into the future. This is a tough and sometimes brutal look at Black/White relations in Australia.
Notes:
Luck of the Draw is one of few plays written by non Indigenous writers to be performed by the Indigenous Company, Kooemba Jdarra. Playwright Ned Manning has two Indigenous children And this is dedicated to their Indigenality.
1st Produced:
Queensland Performing Arts Trust
01 Jun 2000
Organisations:
Kooemba Jdarra
1st Published:
Strawberry Hills, NSW : Currency Press in association with Kooemba Jdarra, Brisbane, 2000 978-0868186350
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Booksellers:
Genre:
adult Drama
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageMacbeth Intensive
Synopsis:
Four actors explore the supernatural world of Macbeth as they investigate the play's inner workings. The actors examine Shakespeare's use of language and the way his characters reveal their actions, personalities and motivations through the text. Contemporary references bring Shakespeare's world into the twenty first century. The fundamental theatricality of Shakespeare is unmasked as are the many themes raised in Macbeth. These include loyalty, friendship, ambition and male/female relationships.
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
A contemporary take on Shakespeare 45 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageMagic Box
Synopsis:
Magic Box introduces Primary School students to the magical world of William Shakespeare. An Executioner takes the students back into the Elizabethan England. An actor from the 21st century has lost her colleague and is forced to improvise without him. To do so she conducts a quiz, tries on some costumes and demonstrates how Shakespeare's plays were staged. With the aid of some "fairies" she conjures Ben Johnson from the magic box. He assists her in staging some scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet as well as exploring some of Shakespeare's themes and characters.
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
A contemporary take on Shakespeare 40 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageMilo
Milo and Di live on a hobby farm - he is a pipe dreaming visionary while she works for an Overseas aid agency. a visit from an old mate, Toby, a farmer struggling to survive in the bush, and his feisty wife Peg, precipitates a thunderstorm of pent up fury. Ideas about environmental sustainability clash with the economic reality of survival on the land in the 21st Century. This play tackles the big issues facing rural communities everywhere by harnessing typical Australian self deprecating humour as a means of coping with impending disaster.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Wharf 2, Walsh Bay,, Sydney.
27 Oct 1994
Organisations:
nmproductions in association with Sydney Theatre Company.
1st Published:
in Kingaroy and Milo, Currency Press, Sydney (1996) 978-0868194585
Music:
-
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Genre:
Comedy Drama
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageNot This Litlle Black Duck
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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:
Childrens play
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageRomeo And Juliet Intensive
Synopsis:
Four Actors discover the hidden treasures in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The Actors comment on the action of the play and, at times, enter scenes to comment. The text opens Romeo and Juliet up so that it becomes accessible to a young audience. Connections are made between the Elizabethan world and the contemporary one. The timeless struggle between generations is examined in the context of the play. The consequences of actions and the obstacles that prevent resolution are explored. Turning points are played out and analysed. Shakespeare's language is demystified and discussed as the Actors share their discoveries with the audience.
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
Shakespeare in a contemporary context 60 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageStories From the 428
Synopsis:
a group of new short plays based on the playwrights' experiences of travelling the 428 bus route from Circular Quay to Canterbury.
Notes:
written by Donna Abela; Vanessa Bates; Kit Brookman; Rebecca Clarke; Tahli Corin; Matthew edgerton; Joanna erskine; Lexi Freiman; Noelle Janaczewska; Sime Knezevic; Patrick Lenton; Ned Manning; Jasper Marlow; Brooke Robinson; Alison Rooke; Phil Spencer
1st Produced:
Sidetrack Theatre, Marrickville, Nsw
24 Mar 2010
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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: - Female: - Other: varies
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageTrick Or Treat
Synopsis:
Trick or Treat examines illusion and reality in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice. Things aren't always what they seem. Are the characters who they say they are? Do they want what they say they want? Are the villains really villains or are they misunderstood? Who lies under the masks worn in both plays? These questions and more are explored by Four Actors as they examine key scenes in both plays. They enter the scenes and reveal the complexity within them. They examine Shakespeare's language in detail focussing on rhythm and meter as well as meaning. Character's motivation is assessed as is the three dimensionality of Shakespeare's characters. As well as this there is an investigation of gender and racial politics in the plays.
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
A contemporary take on Shakespeare 50 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageTrust And Betrayal
Synopsis:
Macbeth meets Othello meets Twilight. Four Actors examine the key themes in two of Shakespeare's classic tragedies. They move in and out of scenes played by Shakespeare's characters investigating the text in detail. This script focusses on the machinations of ambitious political aspirants as well as the role sexual politics plays in determining behaviour. It also explores the richness and accessibility of Shakespeare's language and how he chose particular words and phrases to raise the stakes in a scene as well as reflecting character motivation. The Actors investigate the historical and social implications implications in the casting of Othello.
Notes:
This script was originally developed as part of a series, for Bell Shakespeare's Actors At Work programme, performed between the years 2005 2011. Ned Manning would like to acknowledge the following people for their involvement and contribution to the development of these scripts: John Bell, Matt Edgerton (Director and dramaturg), Marion Potts (Director), John Sheedy (Director), Christopher Hurrell (Director), Naomi Edwards (Director), Damien Ryan (Director), Wayne Blair (Director), Sean O'shea (Director) and the many actors who performed the plays around Australia.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
A contemporary take on Shakespeare 50 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageUs Or Them
Synopsis:
Us or them is a comedy Drama about the intractable nature of the Australian education system. although written over twenty years ago, it remains scarily relevant as it explores relationships between teachers as well as teacher student relationships. It lifts the veil on the weird and wonderful world of the staffroom as well as revealing teachers at play. their shenanigans are compared and contrasted with teenage behaviour, often unfavourably. "Us or them" has been described as " a disturbingly convincing picture of an education system rigid enough to resist any challenge". (Variety)
Notes:
It is possible to double Tom/Steve And Prim/Wendy And perform the play with A cast of 7 Actors.
1st Produced:
Stables Theatre
21 Feb 1984
Organisations:
Griffin Theatre Company
1st Published:
Sydney : Currency in association with the Griffin Theatre Company, 1984 978-0868191003
Music:
-
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:
Comedy Drama
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 4 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageWomen Of Troy
Synopsis:
an adaptation of euripides' Women of Troy for school age performers. the adaptation focuses on the effects of war, particularly on women. Troy could be any trouble spot in the world. a group of teenagers play in what turns out to be a city destroyed by war. they become involved in the sacking of Troy and take on roles in the play.
Notes:
This Adaptation has been written for A large cast And could involve A whole class.
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
http://Australianplays.org/ -
Music:
-
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:
50 min adaptation
Parts:
Male: 9 Female: 7 Other: chorus
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page