Ruby's Last Dollar single work   drama  
Issue Details: First known date: 2005... 2005 Ruby's Last Dollar
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Ruby Constance has a past as rich as her dreams of the future. As she sits at her favourite poker machine, 'The Dancing Lady', with only one coin to her name, her life swirls around her in a cavalcade of memories. Memories that tell the history of Australia's post-war past, and tantalise us like the $50,000 jackpot that hangs over Ruby's head, but is oh so far out of her reach.

Ruby's pokie becomes her friend, her confidante and her confessor. As we trawl through the scattered remnants of her life, we see a little orphan girl from Sydney drag herself out of the gutter to become a bona fide Tivoli star, only to find herself back on the streets again and eventually in a suburban RSL, lost amongst a sea of pokies.

This is the story of a survivor, a woman who would risk everything to ensure a better life for her granddaughter, but who has only one thing left to gamble with - her precious, lucky coin. If she puts this coin in the slot, will she win the jackpot, or will she lose all that is left of her?'. (Source: Australian Script Centre website).

Production Details

  • World premiere production by by Pork Chop Productions at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera House, 16 June - 23 July 2005. Director: Jeremy Sims.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2005
  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Collection #7 : 27 New Plays from the Australian Script Centre Lian Tanner (editor), Hobart : Australian Script Centre , 2008 Z1594920 2008 anthology drama The twenty-seven plays on this CD have been selected by our National Reading Group as representing some of the best in contemporary Australian scriptwriting. Many of them have either won or been short-listed for major prizes, and they cover a wide range of themes and styles, from documentary theatre to seditious comedy and apocalyptic drama. Some of the playwrights are well-established, others are emerging writers whose work shows exciting potential. (Source: CD ROM) Hobart : Australian Script Centre , 2008 pg. 23
  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Tales Tall and True Strawberry Hills : Currency Press , 2011 Z1803063 2011 selected work drama

    'Gulpilil (co written with David Gulpilil) is a one man show about the life of, and starring, Indigenous performer David Gulpilil. Reg spent three weeks living with David Gulpilil in Central Arnhem Land preparing for the show.

    'The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell: ‘In the tradition of Australian gothic classics like Wake in Fright comes a comedic thriller where Edgar Allen Poe meets Banjo Paterson.’ — Australian Stage Online

    'Ruby's Last Dollar tells the story of a survivor, a woman who would risk everything to ensure a better life for her granddaughter, but who has only one thing left to gamble with—her precious, lucky coin.

    'The Chatroom details a 15 year old girl’s online experiences and explores the impact of our changing world on the relationships we have and the way we connect with each other.' (Publication summary)

    Strawberry Hills : Currency Press , 2011

Works about this Work

Time Runs Out for Washed-up Showgirl Ron Banks , 2005 single work review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 5 August 2005; (p. 6)

— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar Reg Cribb , 2005 single work drama
Beware the Pokies : Playwright Sarah McNeill , 2005 single work review
— Appears in: The Claremont-Nedlands Post , 9 July 2005; (p. 51)

— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar Reg Cribb , 2005 single work drama
Dancing Queen Pushes the Right Buttons John McCallum , 2005 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 24 June 2005; (p. 21)

— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar Reg Cribb , 2005 single work drama
Untitled Mark Hopkins , 2005 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 24 June 2005; (p. 14)

— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar Reg Cribb , 2005 single work drama
Back with the Battler Clara Iaccarino , 2005 single work column
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 12 June 2005; (p. 25)
Untitled Mark Hopkins , 2005 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 24 June 2005; (p. 14)

— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar Reg Cribb , 2005 single work drama
Dancing Queen Pushes the Right Buttons John McCallum , 2005 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 24 June 2005; (p. 21)

— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar Reg Cribb , 2005 single work drama
Beware the Pokies : Playwright Sarah McNeill , 2005 single work review
— Appears in: The Claremont-Nedlands Post , 9 July 2005; (p. 51)

— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar Reg Cribb , 2005 single work drama
Time Runs Out for Washed-up Showgirl Ron Banks , 2005 single work review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 5 August 2005; (p. 6)

— Review of Ruby's Last Dollar Reg Cribb , 2005 single work drama
Back with the Battler Clara Iaccarino , 2005 single work column
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 12 June 2005; (p. 25)
Last amended 2 Jun 2009 11:20:13
Settings:
  • Sydney, New South Wales,
  • 1940-1999
  • 2000s
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