The Small Poppies single work   drama   children's   - Two acts
Issue Details: First known date: 1989... 1989 The Small Poppies
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'The Small Poppies is an entertaining children's drama from Australian writer David Holman featuring six members of the Company B Belvoir troupe in some twenty roles as the children, parents, and teachers facing the challenge of the first day at school in mid-1980s Australia. The story is mainly focused on the troubles of five year old Clint (played by Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush). Meanwhile a Cambodian refugee, Lep (Deborah Mailman) comes to Australia following the death of her mother and faces not only the standard challenges of 'big school', but language, race, and cultural barriers which prevent her classmates and teacher from understanding her ... Though its specific political concerns have dated slightly since 1986, this is still a universal story in which the themes and characters are largely timeless.' (Source: Culture Vulture)

Affiliation Notes

  • This work is affiliated with the AustLit subset Asian-Australian Children's Literature and Publishing because it contains a Cambodian character.

Production Details

  • First performed by Magpie Theatre at Theatre 62 on 1 March 1986 and has also been produced in London, Toronto and Tokyo.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Come Out Theatre Murray Bramwell , 2001 single work review
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , April no. 211 2001; (p. 36)

— Review of The Small Poppies David Holman , 1989 single work drama
Come Out Theatre Murray Bramwell , 2001 single work review
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , April no. 211 2001; (p. 36)

— Review of The Small Poppies David Holman , 1989 single work drama
Last amended 21 Feb 2012 10:48:22
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