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Australia Felix : A Comedy in One Scene single work   drama   - One act
Issue Details: First known date: 1926... 1926 Australia Felix : A Comedy in One Scene
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Helen and Stuart are staying with the politically disenchanted Gavan in his permanent camp in Gippsland. It is the night of the federal election announcement, and while waiting expectantly for the results to come through the wireless Gavin recounts his days of left-wing activism in his youth. While Stuart, a painter, looks forward to the birth of the nation through art yet to come, Gavin laments the insipid turn-out of his political colleagues, who include none other than the Nationalist-Country Party leader Harding. To the bitter disappointment of Gavan, and the utter disinterestedness of bushman Dick – the type of man in whom Gavan once placed all his political ideals – Harding is re-elected. Yet the play ends with a hopeful toast to the land of 'Australia Felix'.


Characters

MICHAEL GAVAN – a writer and politician, about fifty-five

STUART GRAHAM – a young painter

HELEN – his wife

DICK – a bushman, about thirty

WILLIE – Gavan's son, about twenty

Exhibitions

Notes

  • Scanned by The University of New England, NSW, 2016. Original held in the Campbell Howard Collection, Dixson Library.

Production Details

  • Produced by the Griffin Theatre Company at the Stables Theatre, Sydney, 3 January 1991.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

      ca. 1926 .
      Alternative title: Australia Felix : A Dialogue
      Link: 10821465Full text document Sighted: 08/03/2017
      (Manuscript) assertion
      Note/s:
      • Held at the Campbell Howard Collection, Dixson Library, University of New England.
First known date: 1926

Works about this Work

Old Australia Meets New John McCallum , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 8 January 1991; (p. 11)

— Review of Australia Felix : A Comedy in One Scene Louis Esson , 1926 single work drama ; Norm and Ahmed Alex Buzo , 1960 single work drama
Letters from Esson to Vance Palmer Louis Esson , 1977 single work correspondence
— Appears in: Five Plays for Stage, Radio and Television 1977; (p. 12-24)
Old Australia Meets New John McCallum , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 8 January 1991; (p. 11)

— Review of Australia Felix : A Comedy in One Scene Louis Esson , 1926 single work drama ; Norm and Ahmed Alex Buzo , 1960 single work drama
Letters from Esson to Vance Palmer Louis Esson , 1977 single work correspondence
— Appears in: Five Plays for Stage, Radio and Television 1977; (p. 12-24)
Last amended 26 Feb 2018 10:42:33
Settings:
  • Genoa - Mallacoota area, East Gippsland, Gippsland, Victoria,
  • Bush,
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