The Dreamers (play)

1982 play by Jack Davis

The Dreamers is a play written by Jack Davis, set in Western Australia.[1] He wrote the play to influence public opinion and bring about improvement in Aboriginal Australians' lives.[2]

## Characters

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The play features the following characters:

* Worru - an old Aboriginal man
* Dolly - Worru's niece
* Meena - Dolly's daughter(age 14)
* Shane - Dolly's son(age 12)
* Roy - Dolly's husband
* Eli - a cousin
* Peter - Dolly's son (age 18)
* Darren - a white boy, (age 12 approx.)

## Plot

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The play is about how Aboriginal family, the Wallitches, go through everyday life. The story takes place over a period of six months in the home of the family.[1]

The play maintains an elegiac tone throughout for a tribal past, for a people one physically and spiritually in harmony with their world. [citation needed]

## Performances

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It was first performed on 2 February 1982 by the Swan River Stage Company at the Dolphin Theatre in Perth.[1] Although first performed in 1982, the play is contemporary and can be understood in a current context. The play continues to be restaged by a range of companies, particularly companies with an indigenous focus.[3]

## References

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1. ^ a b c "The Dreamers (play extract)". Australian Plays. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
2. ^ Hallett, Bryce. "Dreamers open our eyes to a harsh reality". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
3. ^ Ryan, Simon; Ryan, Delyse. "The Dreamers". Australian Catholic University. Retrieved 20 December 2015.