Emerald City (play)
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Emerald City | |
---|---|
Written by | David Williamson |
Date premiered | 1987 |
Original language | English |
Subject | Entertainment industry |
Genre | Satire |
Emerald City is a 1987 play by the
Story
The plays centres on the Rogers family, loosely modelled on Williamson's own. They have recently moved from
Colin teams with a
Coastwatchers proves a ratings disaster, so Mike latches on to Colin for another project, a rip-off of Miami Vice set in Australia and loaded with Australianisms. Malcolm Bennett, who usually finances Colin's productions, advises him to get back with Elaine because his project is "shit". "So is Miami Vice," Colin responds. "That's classy shit," Malcolm tells him, "This is absolute shit." The difference is that the writers of Miami Vice are writing at the best of their abilities, while the fact that Colin is writing below his level is painfully obvious. During this time, Colin becomes attracted to Mike's girlfriend, Helen Davey, but ultimately draws the line in the friendship and avoids cheating on his wife.
Ultimately, Kath Mitchell is nominated for the
The play takes many swipes at contemporary occurrences in the entertainment industry, such as
Major performances
The play was first performed in Australia in 1987 by the Sydney Theatre Company.[1]
It was premiered in the United States off-Broadway by the New York Theatre Workshop at the Perry Street Theater in Greenwich Village in 1988.[2]
The New York cast was as follows:
- Colin: Daniel Gerroll
- Elaine: Doris Black
- Kate: Gates McFadden
- Mike: Dan Butler
- Helen: Alice Haining
- Malcolm: Jerry Manning
The other characters do not appear on-stage.
Film
In 1988, Michael Jenkins directed a film version of the play.
Possible inspirations
Williamson and
The title of the play Emerald City has been used as a frequent nickname for the city of Sydney since the play was first presented. The title has been attributed to Brett Sheehy who was Sydney Theatre Company's literary manager when the play was written and first produced. The play's director, Richard Wherrett, recalls in his autobiography, The Floor of Heaven, that Sheehy suggested Emerald City as the title, which Williamson accepted, adding the line of dialogue, "The Emerald city of Oz. Everyone comes here along their yellow brick roads looking for the answers to their problems and all they find are the demons within themselves."[3]
The play was once called The Ingratiator.[4]
References
- ^ "STC tours the world". Sydney Theatre Company. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ^ ""Emerald City"". New York Magazine, 5 December 1988, p222. 5 December 1988. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ Wherrett, Richard (2000), The Floor of Heaven, Hodder Headline, Sydney, p.213.
- ^ Cochrane, Peter (14 March 1997). "Williamson's World". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 15.
External links
- Emerald City at IMDb