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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'The elocution lessons of a boy named Benjamin Franklin bring about the destruction of his teacher, a timid transvestite whose only sexual activity takes place in the world of fantasy.'
Source: 'Noble Technique', Canberra Times, 19 March 1977, p.15.
Notes
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One-hander.
Affiliation Notes
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Writing Disability in Australia:
Type of disability Speech impairment. Type of character Primary. Point of view First person.
Production Details
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First produced at the Nimrod Theatre Downstairs, Sydney on 28 August 1976, also by Hoopla Productions at the Grant Street Theatre, Melbourne in 1977. Produced in several countries.
Revived by director Richard Wherrett at the Seymour Centre in 1984 and again by Wherrett at The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House on 4 January 2002. [Wherrett died prior to the opening of the 2002 season and he nominated Adam Cook to take over the role of director.]
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Wood Shines in Gruelling Classic
2002
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 12 September 2002; (p. 4)
— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin 1975 single work drama -
Steve J. Spears' King Hit
2002
single work
column
— Appears in: The Age , 10 September 2002; (p. 4) -
Woods Rocks in Solo Role
2002
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 5 January 2002; (p. 20) -
Franklin, My Dear
2002
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 10 January 2002; (p. 19)
— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin 1975 single work drama -
Spirit of '76 Updated in Tale of Intolerance
2002
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian , 11 January 2002; (p. 13)
— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin 1975 single work drama
-
Wood Shines in Gruelling Classic
2002
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 12 September 2002; (p. 4)
— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin 1975 single work drama -
First Impressions : The Critical Archives
1977
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 28 June 2003; (p. 2)
— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin 1975 single work drama -
Chater as Brilliant as Ever
1984
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 12 May 1984; (p. 14) A Leader of His Craft : Theatre Reviews by H. G. Kippax 2004; (p. 268-269)
— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin 1975 single work drama -
Untitled
1977
single work
review
— Appears in: Theatre Australia , May vol. 2 no. 1 1977; (p. 47)
— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin 1975 single work drama -
Lacking Dress Sense, and Nudity
1991
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian , 22 April 1991; (p. 9)
— Review of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin 1975 single work drama -
Steve J. Spears' King Hit
2002
single work
column
— Appears in: The Age , 10 September 2002; (p. 4) -
Masterpiece of Literature Returns to the Stage
1996
single work
column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 27 August 1996; (p. 18) -
'Who's the Bigger Dill?' : The Madhouse in Recent Australian Drama
1998
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The Body in the Library 1998; (p. 167-184) -
A Letter and Three Songs
1985
single work
criticism
humour
— Appears in: Southerly , December vol. 45 no. 4 1985; (p. 83-86) -
Successes From Sydney : Victoria
1978
single work
column
— Appears in: Theatre Australia , February vol. 2 no. 8 1978; (p. 37-38) This column discusses theatre productions in Victoria in 1977.
Awards
- 1979 winner OBIE Award — Best Play The 1979 New York production also won Best Actor and Best Director
- 1977 winner AWGIE Awards — Stage Award
- 1977 winner AWGIE Awards — Major Award
- 1976 winner National Critics Award for Best New Play
Last amended 17 Apr 2019 14:04:57
Settings:
- Toorak, South Yarra - Glen Iris area, Melbourne - Inner South, Melbourne, Victoria,
- 1970s
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