Set in Sydney, The Sum of Us explores the relationship between Harry, a charming, beer-drinking, down-to-earth widower, and Jeff, his gay son. Harry is the caring 'mate' whose open-mindedness borders on being annoying. Jeff unsuccessfully searches for love with the unwanted guidance of his father.
First performed at the University of Southern California (directed by Dorothy Lyman) and later performed at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 1989 and at the Cherry Lane Theatre, New York in 1990 (both directed by Kevin Dowling).
First performed in Australia by the Sydney Theatre Company at the Wharf Studio, Sydney on 1 February 1992.
Presented by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company at Perth Festival, with an entirely First Nations cast.
Director: Eva Grace Mullaley.
Assistant Director: Cezera Critti-Schnaars.
Producer: Elinor King.
Production Manager: Mike Nanning.
Set & Costume Designer: Bryan Woltjen.
Assistant Set & Costume Designer: Jamie Fodor.
Lighting Designer: Peter Young.
Sound Designer & Composer: Joe Paradise Lui.
Assistant Sound Designer: Zac James.
Cast: Mathew Cooper, Bruce Denny, Janine Oxenham & Joshua Pether.
'Yirra Yaakin’s The Sum of Us is a tale of a strong family bond, ageing, queerness and the dance we all do when searching for love.'