A fascinating look at Alfred Deakin and the people who helped create Federation and Australian democracy
What kind of people brought about Federation, created Australia as a nation? Idealistic, complex, and energetic, yet to some modern eyes, limited by the beliefs of their era. The cause they strove for, the dilemmas they faced, are strongly relevant today, in a time of concern about globalisation, race, social inequality and national division. This richly textured and extensively researched play presents the complex vision and political, personal and spiritual life of Alfred Deakin, often called this country’s greatest Prime Minister.
Writer/ Director: Darryl Emmerson
With Marc Lawrence, Christina McLaughlin, Paul Mitchell
Choreographer: Janice Florence
Composer: Brett Wake
Musician: Joe Bourke
Image by Stuart Sullivan. The current poster image collates Tom Roberts’ Opening of the First Federal Parliament in Melbourne (courtesy Australian Parliament House , Canberra), and a photo of Alfred Deakin by Elliott and Fry.