 Event |
The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin
|
| Venue |
Playbox Theatre, Melbourne, VIC |
| First Date |
2 July 1977 |
| Opening Date |
2 July 1977 |
| Last Date |
23 September 1977 |
| Dates Estimated |
No |
| Status |
Professional |
| World Premiere |
No |
| Part of a Tour |
Yes |
| Description |
A single actor plays "Robert O'Brien", an outwardly respectable elocution tutor based in a suburb of Melbourne. The play begins with O'Brien walking on stage naked, describing the foibles of his students as he dresses. It is revealed that O’Brien himself likes to dress in feminine clothing and is obsessed with a young, beautiful student, one "Benjamin Franklin". The final revelation that he is confined in a "mental institution" challenges our assumptions about mental health, the treatment of queer lives and the private world of public figures. |
| Primary Genre |
Theatre - Spoken Word
|
| Secondary Genre |
Comedy
One Person Show
|
| Organisations |
|
| Contributors |
|
| Resources |
|
| Works |
|
| Text Nationality |
Australia
|
| Production Nationality |
Australia
|
| Further Information |
Extensive touring
|
| Event Status |
Completed
|
| Data Source |
| Source |
Description |
| Programme |
Dennis Wolanski Library collection at UNSW Library |
|
| Event Identifier |
6047 |
| Dataset |
AusStage |
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