The Table of Knowledge single work   drama  
Issue Details: First known date: 2011... 2011 The Table of Knowledge
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'On December 5th 2006, officers of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) raided the administration building of Wollongong City Council, forcing staff to vacate their posts, sealing a floor of the building and leaving hours later with boxes of documents, files, and computer hard drives. This was the first indication the community of Wollongong had of 'Operation Atlas', the ICAC investigation into allegations of corruption involving local developers, Councillors and former staff of Wollongong City Council.

The resulting scandal had reverberations far beyond expectations and culminated in the sacking of the entire Council. ICAC exposed sexual obsessions, envelopes full of cash, and a group of powerful men that met regularly outside a local kebab shop, at a plastic table they called "the table of knowledge".

When news broke of these events, Merrigong, as Wollongong's local theatre company, considered how best to respond to a story that has deeply affected our town and region. To this end, we approached the acclaimed Sydney-based company, version 1.0 to co-produce an original theatre work. The result is a frank, theatrically innovative, and at times moving account of the Inquiry and its subsequent fallout, with the script almost entirely provided by the actual words of the central characters, as recorded in the Inquiry transcripts.

In a year that will see the return of an elected Council for the city of Wollongong, come and participate in a dynamic theatrical dialogue about corruption, power and democracy.' Source: www.merrigong.com.au (Sighted 02/09/2011).

Production Details

  • First produced by the Version 1.0 and Merrigong Theatre Company at the Gordon Theatre, Illawarra Performing Arts centre, 30 August - 18 September 2011.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Corruption Tale Shows the Laugh is on Us John McCallum , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 19 March 2012; (p. 15)

— Review of The Table of Knowledge Version 1.0 , 2011 single work drama
Doing Their Block Steve Meacham , 2012 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 3-4 March 2012; (p. 10-11)
Time to Surprise Yourself Kate McIlwain , 2011 single work column
— Appears in: Illawarra Mercury , 10 November 2011; (p. 29)
Top-Selling Table of Knowledge Will Return Angela Thompson , 2011 single work column
— Appears in: Illawarra Mercury , 10 November 2011; (p. 9)
Expect Robust Debate as Scandal Hits Stage Shannon Tonkin , 2011 single work column
— Appears in: Illawarra Mercury , 30 August 2011; (p. 3)
Dramatic Timing for Council Riven by Scandel Sallie Don , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 31 August 2011; (p. 8)

— Review of The Table of Knowledge Version 1.0 , 2011 single work drama
Council's Canker Purged with Wit and Style John Shand , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 3-4 September 2011; (p. 11)

— Review of The Table of Knowledge Version 1.0 , 2011 single work drama
Untitled Nicholas Pickard , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 4 September 2011; (p. 13)

— Review of The Table of Knowledge Version 1.0 , 2011 single work drama
Corruption Tale Shows the Laugh is on Us John McCallum , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 19 March 2012; (p. 15)

— Review of The Table of Knowledge Version 1.0 , 2011 single work drama
The School for Scandal Elissa Blake , 2011 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 25 - 26 June 2011; (p. 6-7)
'With plays opening about WikiLeaks's Julian Assange, healthcare costs and council corruption, Elissa Blake asks if newsmakers make good theatre.'
Expect Robust Debate as Scandal Hits Stage Shannon Tonkin , 2011 single work column
— Appears in: Illawarra Mercury , 30 August 2011; (p. 3)
Table of Knowledge on Centre Stage Angela Thompson , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: Illawarra Mercury , 9 November 2010; (p. 7)
A Tale of Shady Council Workings Bridget Cormack , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Australian , 11 November 2010; (p. 16)
Top-Selling Table of Knowledge Will Return Angela Thompson , 2011 single work column
— Appears in: Illawarra Mercury , 10 November 2011; (p. 9)
Last amended 2 Sep 2011 12:09:12
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