Inheritance -  Written by Hannie Rayson

An Australian drama set in Victoria's Mallee country.

Directed by Julie Bailey (2009)

Click here for programme (pdf file, 1,247,492 bytes)

Performance details

The hall for Inheritance is set out with both tables and raked seating.  We provide free Tea & Coffee, and you are welcome to bring your own nibblies and drinks.  We offer group discounts.

You can now pay for your tickets over the phone by Credit Card.  The bookings line is:

(02)4353-4353

For more detailed booking information please see the general Booking Info Page.

Plot

'Inheritance is a story of two families battling it out in the unforgiving terrain of Victoria's Mallee region. The elderly twin sisters, Dibs Hamilton and Girlie Delaney, represent two kinds of rural family story. Dibs inherited the family farm and has prospered. Her children, Julia and William, are well-educated city folk, and her adopted Aboriginal son, Nugget, is a successful farmer managing the family farm. Girlie, on the other hand, has had a tougher ride. Her son, Lyle, and his wife, Maureen, are embittered by their experience of life on the farm as one of endless struggle and never getting an even break.' (Hilary Glow - dramaturg on Inheritance)

Lyle and Maureen have two young daughters, Ashleigh and Brianna. The family gathers to celebrate the 80th birthday of Dibs and Girlie. Speculation grows as to who will inherit the family property, Allandale, when the ageing Farley Hamilton is gone.

Not only is Inheritance an 'absorbing family saga full of both affection and critique', but there is an intermingling of the tragic and the comic. Also dramatic irony is cleverly employed throughout the play giving rise to the laughter of recognition followed by deep reflection on the 'profound emotional and moral turmoil at the heart of the work.' Rayson's characters are full of contradictions. In her words:

"When I say my work is character-driven it means that that the plays are always peopled with characters who contain huge contradictions, as do we all, and I am always interested in their having surprising kinds of qualities. People who are ruthless bastards in the boardroom are very charming at dinner parties..."

Opening night profits will be donated to the Iris Foundation for the prevention of suicide.

Cast

Production Crew

Hit No 

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Copyright © May-11 by Peter Deane   -  Last modified: Monday, 18 July 2011 02:47 AM