BURST OF SUMMER

A social-realist play dealing with racial prejudice set in a country milk bar. Suggested by the promotion of the Aboriginal actor Ngarla Kunoth, who played the title role in Charles Chauvel's Jedda, the play explores a town divided over a new housing develoment for the Aboriginal population. Passions are stirred by press interest in Peggy, an Aboriginal girl who has won brief fame as a film actress; entrenched pastoral interests; envy and racism; and perceived Aboriginal fecklessness. Despite the intercessions of a local black lawyer and Joe, the 'dago' cafe owner, the summer heat busts into violence.

Published in Plays of the 60s Volume 1