Image taken from www.gazellebookservices.co.uk
This is another really good play I had the opportunity to learn about in my Australian Theatre course. It was written as part of Australia's bicentenial year celebrations, and is a stage adaptation of the novel of the same name, written by Xavier Herbert.
The story is about a young man named Norman Shillingsworth, who is raised by his uncle to believe that he is the son of a Javanese princess. The truth about his REAL family origins is discovered when he returns to visit and work for his uncle in Port Zodiac. Step by step, Norman learns more secrets about his family, and he struggles to come to terms with the seemingly never-ending new "revelations." During the course of the play he teams up with Tocky, a aborigine girl who is smitten by his good looks. Tragedy further unfolds when Tocky kills a man in self-defense, and Norman is blamed for the murder. There is action galore throughout the play, more than enough to keep readers (and audiences) on the edge of their seats.
Like the book, the play is very confronting, as it deals with a lot of uncomfortable issues. However, Nowra seems to tackle these issues with ease, and adds humour to the seriousness of the plot.
A definite read for those interested in reading a good Australian play.
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