Australia Day

(Sydney Theatre Company)

A play by Jonathan Biggins which draws on his experience as an Australia Day Ambassador, a program where public identities participate in activities, including Citizenship Ceremonies, that mark the commemoration of British settlement of the eastern coast of what now is Australia on 26 January 1788. For want of agreement of any other date it has assumed the role of our national day.

Biggins turns his keen eye and wit to the committees and individuals, scattered across this wide and sunburnt land, who do the legwork for community celebrations and for good measure throws in the cut and thrust of local politics.

'Australia Day' is a frothy piece of recognisable Australian humour. Stereotypes and stereotypical situations abound and the publicity promises there is something to (lightly) offend everyone. Still, most people would leave the play smiling and unoffended at its conclusion.

We did.

★★★