Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Culture And Tradition Torn To Shreds In ‘The Club’

David Williamson’s ‘The Club’, featuring well known actor John Wood, will feature at the Latrobe Performing Arts Centre at 8pm on Thursday 8 November 2007.

By Latrobe City - 23rd October 2007 - Back to News

Latrobe City’s performing arts and venues coordinator, Kathleen Roberts, said ‘The Club’ is a story about egotism, commitment, power, jealousy, and greed; providing a night of drama and great entertainment that’s not to be missed.

"The story covers the transition of Australian sport into becoming Australian business. The culture and rituals of an old club are torn to shreds as the mighty dollar takes over. As one player remarks ‘we joined for the honour of wearing the guernsey and a pat on the back… not for money’," Ms Roberts explained.

David Williamson’s ‘The Club’ boasts the accomplished talents of director, Bruce Myles (HIT’s Hotel Sorrento, Love Child), designer, Anna Borghesi (HIT’s Wallflowering) and lighting designer, Glenn Hughes (HIT’s Hotel Sorrento, Educating Rita). Joining John on stage will be an exceptional cast including Christopher Connelly (HIT’s Hotel Sorrento), Denis Moore (Malthouse’s The Spook), Christopher Parker (Oklahoma) and Simon Wilton (Playbox’s Still Angela).

"But ‘The Club’ belongs to the one-time jock, played with finesse by John Wood. He’s an excellent stage actor with the technique and presence to make an audience believe in the person he’s pretending to be," Ms Roberts said.

"In Williamson’s play, the club is languishing near the bottom of the Victorian Football League (VFL) premiership ladder, and has done so for a long time; it's been 19 years since its last premiership win. An atmosphere of blame, backstabbing and desperation has brewed into the resulting tension. The club has just paid an enormous sum of money for a young Tasmanian player, in a huge gamble that he will help change their fortunes. What they don't know is that he's rather disenchanted with ‘chasing a piece of pig skin around a muddy paddock’. His arrival at the club ignites the tension and friction that has been gradually building between a number of key people," Ms Roberts explained.

For tickets and further information on forthcoming performances, please contact the Box Office, telephone 5176 3559 or email boxoffice@latrobe.vic.gov.au.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Lightfoot Wines combines tradition, creativity, and Gippsland flavours with award-winning wines, regional platters, and scenic views
  Perched on a limestone bluff above the Mitchell River, Lightfoot Wines blends tradition and innovation, offering tastings, regional platters, and acclaimed wines, cementing its role in Gippsland's food and drink scene.
• Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club track redevelopment a "big win for people power," says Martin Cameron
  Racing will resume at Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club after Glenview Park track redevelopment, hailed by Martin Cameron as a "big win for people power" following community and trainer advocacy.
• David Littleproud slams Labor's 2035 emissions reduction target as costly, and damaging to families, jobs, and communities
  Nationals leader David Littleproud criticised Labor's 2035 emissions target as reckless and costly, warning it would raise taxes, increase energy bills, hurt regional communities, and threaten jobs, families, and industries.
• David Littleproud warns vegetable growers of crisis as compliance costs soar, confidence collapses and exits loom
  Nationals leader David Littleproud warns Australia's food security is at risk, with two in five growers considering leaving amid rising compliance costs, financial strain, and Labor policies undermining farming viability.
• David Littleproud urges Labor to deliver interest-free loans as farmers voice urgent drought forum concerns
  Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Drought Forum reinforced urgent calls for interest-free farm loans, urging Labor to act swiftly as farmers face worsening hardship, particularly in South Australia's dairy industry.
• Wellington Shire Council proudly announces the $23M Aqua Energy Leisure Centre redevelopment opens 7 October 2025
  Wellington Shire Council is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated redevelopment of Aqua Energy Leisure Centre in Sale is complete, with the $23 million facility set to open officially to the public on Tuesday 7 October 2025.