‘Strike me Lucky! We can welcome you back!

Throughout the lockdown, and the long winter months, we have been plotting the way to welcome you back to ‘live’ theatre – and here it is!  A pair of Aussie shorts in a Dinky-Di Double-Bill, directed by Bronwyn Chapple.

First up, Lissa Benyon’s The Margarine Conspiracy, a gentle spoof on over-earnest environmentalists, which sees an “ideologically sound” layabout going into battle with his “ideologically unsound” sister in a valiant and hilarious attempt to change her to his way of thinking.

And after a Covid-safe interval, Ian Austin’s Down Came a Jumbuck, imagines ‘Waltzing Matilda’ written by an 1890s advertising agency! It’s sheer delight and one that’s sure to have you humming your way out of our lovely theatre.

Season runs 6-15 November 2020.

Pandemically paused for months, live theatre returns to Stirling on Friday November 6.

Stirling Players will present a double bill of two short Australian plays, Down Came a Jumbuck, by Ian Austin, and The Margarine Conspiracy, by Lissa Benyon.

One takes a light-hearted look at political image-building, the other at environmental worriers (sic).

Just imagine one of Australia’s icons being created by an advertising agency in the 19th century.

And does margarine really contain tiny polystyrene balls?

What does Clancy of the Overflow have to do with selling toilet bowls?

When an ideological layabout does battle with his “ideologically unsound” sister, whose side are you on?

Bronwyn Chapple, who is directing both plays, says she picked Jumbuck “because it reflects the fact that Australians cannot get a clear picture of their identity.

“What Australian is ever going to respect a swaggie or accept that you could put a big jumbuck into a tucker bag?

“We still don’t know what our national identity is really.  We still don’t agree on a national anthem.

“I wanted to do Margarine because of its relevance to today, and a bit because of my own concern about the environment.   This play was written in 1985, and nothing has changed, essentially.

“Margarine is about three characters. Tom, who is anal about anything affecting the environment – not having a car, using every plastic bag twice……

“Helen, his girlfriend, is supportive, but not that happy about it because it interferes with her lifestyle. She can’t go to the beach and just enjoy it, because Tom spends all the time picking up Mars Bar wrappers.

“Tom’s sister is quite different.  She’s a teacher, who thinks Tom should work and earn his living, and stop complaining about the environment because our technology and brains will solve the issue, so why worry? But of course, they haven’t.”

Unless the current COVID-19 restrictions are wound back, seating will be restricted, so patrons are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

There will be an interval but the serving of wine, tea, coffee and even the traditional free welcoming sherry will depend on the COVID-19 rules at the time.