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See also Don the Movie Don - THE PLAY An hour-length play designed for secondary schools & colleges ...
Don began life as an experimental play at La Mama Theatre (Melbourne) in 1997 forming part of a double-bill called Flashback. [ SEE WEB REFERENCE ON www.axs.com.au/~onstage/shows/97/osmflasr.html ]Don
was successful in certain scenes and clearly aroused interest in the central figure, an enigmatic and forgotten "player" in modern Chinese history.
".... Things improve radically as well as dramatically in "Don", an investigation of W. H. Donald, the Australian who became adviser to China's early
20th century leader, Chiang Kai-shek. The writing is tighter, the themes clearer and, with effective performances from Sarah Woods (as the Polish journalist, Ilona 'Ralf' Sues), and Bruce Kerr (as Donald), the
production is a far better vehicle for the combined talents of writer, director and actors. This little known man in a momentous historical period makes for terrific theatrical subject matter, and the play in
general is a fine treatment." Christine Davey, Star Observer, Feb. 7, 1997 "... Don is a brilliant concept for theatre though; the story of Australian-born adviser to Chiang Kai-shek, W. H. Donald ... The writing is astute and the
characters are fascinating, but there is no through line, narrative or even central voice telling these stories. When author Frank Bren returns with Don as a full length play it promises to be interesting, but
currently Don is merely a collection of intriguing snippets."
Jonathan Marshall, In-Press, Feb. 5, 1997 Like the La Mama
production, the play in development is based on the author's books-in-progress and attendant research. It is best described as a "newspaper cabaret" or dramatised newsreel, designed for touring to arts centres
and secondary schools. Don is a powerful combination of history and drama leavened with black humour.For more details, contact author-producer Frank Bren on frankmondial@yahoo.com . See also Don the Movie
SEE "ASIAN PACIFIC TIMES" REVIEW OF "DON" AT LA MAMA >>> MORE DETAILS TO COME ... |
