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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Sex, lies and the balance of power
'An Aboriginal, an Asian and an Islander walk into a bar. It’s not the beginning of a racist joke, it’s the catalyst for a stinging satire on Australian politics from award-winning playwright Nakkiah Lui (Black is the New White).
'Vic, Zaza and Chris are political insiders hustling their way to the top. They want influence, they want change, they want to take over Parliament House. They leave that bar drunk on power, with a plan to take over the world. First step: find a likeable white guy to use as a political puppet. What could possibly go wrong?'
Source: Sydney Theatre Company.
Notes
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A discussion between Nakkiah Lui and Larissa Behrendt on the controversy around the reviewing of the play by Jason Whittaker on was broadcast on ABC Radio National's Indigenous culture radio program, Awaye! in March 2019. Lui and Behrendt discuss the controversy with Daniel Browning and relative positions of power for white and black reviewers. The discussion can be downloaded here.
Production Details
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Produced by the Sydney Theatre Company.
Performed at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 11-14 February 2019 (previews) and 16 February to 30 March 2019 (season).
Performed at the Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, 3 - 6 April 2019.
Director: Paige Rattray.
Designer: Marg Horwell.
Lighting Designer: Emma Valente.
Assistant Director: Kenneth Moraleda.
Cast: Gareth Davies, Vanessa Downing, Michelle Lim Davidson, Nakkiah Lui, Hamish Michael, and Anthony Taufa.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Exuberant Satire Pokes the Bear
2019
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian , 23 February 2019; (p. 15)
— Review of How to Rule the World 2019 single work drama'How to Rule the World opens in Canberra on April 3. That evening promises to be a blast, given Nakkiah Lui’s take on politics as currently practised in our capital. I’d give anything to see the invitation list and acceptances.' (Introduction)
-
How to Rule the World Review – Nakkiah Lui Hits the Zeitgeist, and No One Leaves Unscathed
2019
single work
review
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 16 February 2019;
— Review of How to Rule the World 2019 single work drama'One of Australia’s most interesting writers continues to evolve, in this punchy, relevant play about power and race in Canberra.'
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How to Rule the World Is a Biting and Urgent Satire of Australian Politics - That Feels All Too Real
2019
single work
column
— Appears in: The Conversation , 26 February 2019;'How to Rule the World is Indigenous playwright Nakkiah Lui’s critical riposte to the intellectual poverty of political life in Australia. A biting and urgent satire of the politics of fear around race, it had the audience guffawing and cringing with recognition in equal measure.' (Introduction)
-
Play to Rule the World
2019
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 30 January no. 693 2019; (p. 10)'An Aboriginal person, an Asian and an Islander walk into a bar.
It's not a racist joke but the catalyst for a political satire How to Rule the World, written by award-winning playwright Nakkiah Lui.' (Introduction)
-
How to Rule the World Review – Nakkiah Lui Hits the Zeitgeist, and No One Leaves Unscathed
2019
single work
review
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 16 February 2019;
— Review of How to Rule the World 2019 single work drama'One of Australia’s most interesting writers continues to evolve, in this punchy, relevant play about power and race in Canberra.'
-
Exuberant Satire Pokes the Bear
2019
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian , 23 February 2019; (p. 15)
— Review of How to Rule the World 2019 single work drama'How to Rule the World opens in Canberra on April 3. That evening promises to be a blast, given Nakkiah Lui’s take on politics as currently practised in our capital. I’d give anything to see the invitation list and acceptances.' (Introduction)
-
Play to Rule the World
2019
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 30 January no. 693 2019; (p. 10)'An Aboriginal person, an Asian and an Islander walk into a bar.
It's not a racist joke but the catalyst for a political satire How to Rule the World, written by award-winning playwright Nakkiah Lui.' (Introduction)
-
How to Rule the World Is a Biting and Urgent Satire of Australian Politics - That Feels All Too Real
2019
single work
column
— Appears in: The Conversation , 26 February 2019;'How to Rule the World is Indigenous playwright Nakkiah Lui’s critical riposte to the intellectual poverty of political life in Australia. A biting and urgent satire of the politics of fear around race, it had the audience guffawing and cringing with recognition in equal measure.' (Introduction)
