Look forward to seeing you there.
RACNSW Media Release
Monday June 9, 2003
Celebrity Playreading at the Sydney Opera House to support World Refugee Day
A Celebrity Playreading starring John Howard, Tony Martin, Jenny Baird
and Tina Bursill of a new Australian Comedy "Purgatory Down Under" by
Jon Williams and Stephen Klinder will be held at the Drama Theatre of
the Sydney Opera House at 8pm on Sunday June 22nd to aid refugees
recently released from the Villawood Detention Centre.
The reading, directed by Alex Broun, is taking place as a part of
Sydney's official celebrations for World Refugee Day and all artists
involved in the reading our donating their time free of charge.
Described as a "biting new satire about our Government's treatment of
refugees", "Purgatory Down Under" mixes comedy, tragedy and a hint of
absurdity to uncover the plight of innocent asylum seekers trapped in
the hellish world of Australia's Mandatory Detention laws.
An "Ubu-esque" style allegory, the play follows an asylum seeker Dante
and a group of refugees who are saved from the "hell" of the high seas
and taken to the "purgatory" of Paradise Island for processing by the
managers of the Island, Mike and Mal.
They are put through a series of tests, often with hysterical results,
to determine whether they are indeed fit to enter into Paradise. But
just how far do you have to go to get into Paradise ?
Star of "Always Greener" and one of Australia's most acclaimed actors,
Howard feels the playreading is a perfect way to communicate the message
of a more tolerant attitude in Australia towards refugees.
"The fundamental idea you have to remember is that refugees have a legal
right to seek refuge in our country under UN guidelines" explained
Howard. "Reading this play for World Refugee Day is a great way of using
theatre to educate and inform people of how innocent people are being
treated by our Government."
"I am sure if most Australians actually knew what was happening in our
country to legal refugees they would be horrified. On top of that this
is a great new Australian play so you can support Australian theatre and
a better deal for refugees all at the same time."
Tickets for the reading are $15 ($10 concession) and can be purchased
through the Opera House Box Office on 02 9250 7777.
The reading will follow a mass rally for World Refugee Day beginning at
the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park North at 12 noon on Sunday June 22nd.
For more information please call Jon Williams on 0402 300 137 or Alex
Broun on 0408 268 043.
EVENT INFO
WHAT: Celebrity Playreading for World Refugee Day starring John Howard
and Tony Martin
WHERE: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
WHEN: Sunday June 22nd, 8pm
BOOKINGS: Sydney Opera House Box Office 9250 7777
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