The Club Extends Footy Fever into November at Galleon
The September 2013 AFL Grand Final might be behind us, but with its production of David Williamson’s classic and extremely funny satire The Club, Adelaide’s Galleon Theatre Group are giving audiences a chance to experience Aussie Rules footy fever for a few weeks longer.
First staged by the Melbourne Theatre Company in 1977 The Club subsequently broke box office records during its Australia-wide tour. The play has had seasons in Germany, the United States of America and the United Kingdom. It remains forever popular with theatre groups and audiences and has also been produced as a film.
Inspired by the backroom dealings of the Collingwood Football Club during its VFL era, the play delves into questions of honour and team spirit versus power and material gain. Indeed, many of the conflicting problems still present within the AFL in current times are reflected in the story.
To win a Grand Final is the all-consuming passion of players and administrators in The Club, just as it is for all football clubs. Revenue, together with capacity to buy players are over-riding issues, while power is used and potentially abused. In other words, the story of The Club remains as relevant today as it was in the 1970’s.
The men of The Club are typical of Williamson, flawed but often extremely funny. Director of Galleon Theatre Group’s production, Vicki Horwood (pictured right), says of the characters, “If you want a secret kept do not tell any of these men”.
The cast includes experienced actors Peter Smith, Andrew Horwood, Warren McKenzie, Aldo Longobardi, Hal Bruce and Myles Teakle.
As usual with Galleon productions, cabaret seating will book out fast, so book a table early. Alternatively, regular seating is also available.
BYO drinks and nibbles or buy drinks at the bar… reminiscent of any other footy club, really!
Get along to the Domain Theatre to enjoy Galleon’s production of this iconic satire because, as Director, Vicky Horwood says, “The play is big, broad and very funny even if you know nothing about footy.”
Lesley Reed
Photographs supplied by Galleon Theatre Group.
Bookings: www.galleon.org.au or call 0437 609 577. Tickets also available at Domain Theatre Box Office.
Venue: Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre, Oaklands Park.
Dates: Thursdays-Saturdays, October 31st-November 9th, 8pm.
Matinee November 9th, 2pm.
Tickets: $20. Concession $15.
More Reading
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.
