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y separately published work icon Strangers In Between single work   drama   - Two acts.
Issue Details: First known date: 2005... 2005 Strangers In Between
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Forced to flee his family home in Goulburn, Shane ... suddenly finds himself in a strange suburb surrounded by prostitutes, bikies and junkies. The confused teenager is unsure of his sexuality, more unsure of how to find intimacy, and completely thrown by having to choose between laundry liquid and powder. But he soon meets two strangers - the very-Sydney Will who offers brotherhood, sex and something unexpected; and the beguiling Peter a 50-year-old gay man whose mother is dying in a nursing home.'

Source: http://www.theprogram.net.au/giveawaysSub.asp?id=371&state_id= (Sighted 09/02/2005)

Notes

  • Commissioned by Griffin Theatre Company, the play was developed as part of its Emerging Playwrights' Residency. At just 25 years of age, Murphy was one of the youngest playwrights to have his work presented on the company's main stage at the SBW Stables Theatre in 26 years.
  • Dedication: For Hugh.

Production Details

  • World premiere produced at the SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross, 17 February - 12 March 2005. The play was slightly revised for the 2008 regional tour of New South Wales.
  • Produced in London, UK, at the King's Head Theatre, Islington, in summer 2016, with a return season in January 2017.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2005
Notes:
Post-performance draft April 2005 manuscript held Fryer Library, University of Queensland.

Works about this Work

Strangers in Between (fortyfivedownstairs) Tim Byrne , 2018 single work essay
— Appears in: ABR : Arts 2018;

'Gay theatre, or at least identifiably queer theatre, has never had much of a presence in Australia; most of what we consider canonical has come from overseas. The Elizabethan stage had Marlowe’s Edward II and Shakespeare had two characters named Antonio, in Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice, who are fairly obviously queer. Since then, most quintessentially gay theatre has come from the United States. Tennessee Williams perfected the unspoken queer subtext, often tying himself in knots to speak clearly what remained unspeakable. But it took Tony Kushner to produce the first openly gay theatrical masterpiece in the two-part Angels in America (1991–92). Anyone who caught last year’s production of Angels at fortyfivedownstairs will know just how vital and electrifying the piece remains as a touchstone of gay representation on stage.'  (Introduction)

[Review] Strangers In Between John Bailey , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 2 August 2009; (p. 20)

— Review of Strangers In Between Tommy Murphy , 2005 single work drama
[Review] Strangers In Between Jason Blake , 2008 single work review
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 18 May 2008; (p. 27)

— Review of Strangers In Between Tommy Murphy , 2005 single work drama
Strangers' Story Ron Cerabona , 2008 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 3 May 2008; (p. 24)
A Theatre of Optimism David Berthold , 2006 single work criticism
— Appears in: Strangers in Between [and] Holding the Man : Two Plays 2006; (p. vii-ixii)
Search for a Safe Haven John McCallum , 2005 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 22 February 2005; (p. 14)

— Review of Strangers In Between Tommy Murphy , 2005 single work drama
[Review] Strangers In Between Jason Blake , 2008 single work review
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 18 May 2008; (p. 27)

— Review of Strangers In Between Tommy Murphy , 2005 single work drama
[Review] Strangers In Between John Bailey , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 2 August 2009; (p. 20)

— Review of Strangers In Between Tommy Murphy , 2005 single work drama
The Company of Strangers Dino Scatena , 2005 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 12-13 February 2005; (p. 2)
A Theatre of Optimism David Berthold , 2006 single work criticism
— Appears in: Strangers in Between [and] Holding the Man : Two Plays 2006; (p. vii-ixii)
Strangers' Story Ron Cerabona , 2008 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 3 May 2008; (p. 24)
Strangers in Between (fortyfivedownstairs) Tim Byrne , 2018 single work essay
— Appears in: ABR : Arts 2018;

'Gay theatre, or at least identifiably queer theatre, has never had much of a presence in Australia; most of what we consider canonical has come from overseas. The Elizabethan stage had Marlowe’s Edward II and Shakespeare had two characters named Antonio, in Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice, who are fairly obviously queer. Since then, most quintessentially gay theatre has come from the United States. Tennessee Williams perfected the unspoken queer subtext, often tying himself in knots to speak clearly what remained unspeakable. But it took Tony Kushner to produce the first openly gay theatrical masterpiece in the two-part Angels in America (1991–92). Anyone who caught last year’s production of Angels at fortyfivedownstairs will know just how vital and electrifying the piece remains as a touchstone of gay representation on stage.'  (Introduction)

Last amended 24 Aug 2020 12:53:49
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  • Kings Cross, Kings Cross area, Inner Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
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