Life After George

“Peter George, charismatic academic, idealist and lover of life is dead. His wife, two ex-wives and daughter gather for his funeral. As the true nature of the man and his life unfolds, so these women discover much about themselves and the lives they have lived both within and outside his shadow.

Life After George is a moving and perceptive insight into social change across three decades told through individual experiences. From the barricades of the student movements of the late 1960s to the new century, with his demands for different educational strategies, the university has been central to change. And it is on this stage that George played out his brilliant, tempestuous career.

Written with passion and dangerous wit, Life After George is a compelling drama that broke box office records during its Melbourne premiere season”.

The play won several Green Room awards, the Victoria PremierÂ’s Literary Award and two Helpmann awards.

(Dustjacket synopsis)

Vicki is calling for expressions of interest from people who may wish to audition. This is a powerful play that requires six experienced and versatile actors. It consists of a succession of short flashbacks into GeorgeÂ’s past life and his relationships to the four women central to it. In a matter of seconds, actors will need to transport their character 30 years into the past or future and adopt appropriate mannerisms and vocal qualities. All roles are substantial.

Character Descriptions:

George: A brilliant academic who is a flawed, energetic and complicated man, living his life with passion and gusto. He is magnificent, careless and sometimes cruel but never fails to revel in life’s offerings and to celebrate the importance of the life of the mind. 50 – 60.

Beatrice: George’s first wife, an artist who emigrated from England to Australia with George in the late 60s and mother of his only child Ana. She is bohemian and cultivated. Mourns the passing of her own youthful love. 50 – 60.

Lindsay: GeorgeÂ’s second wife who develops from the bright student radical girl to Dean of the Faculty with formidable rationalising bent. She was GeorgeÂ’s student as a 21 year old and her brilliant career soon eclipses GeorgeÂ’s. In choosing to pursue ambition over the impulses of her own heart, she nearly loses her own humanity and loses the love of her life. Late 40s, early 50s.

Poppy: GeorgeÂ’s third and current wife and ex student. A postmodernist whose relationship with George has instilled in her a politics that is unconnected to her own generation. She is left with a determination to honour the ideals George has taught her to live by but with an uncertainty as to how to do that. Gets caught in a battle of personalities with the other two wives and his daughter. 30s.

Ana: George and BeatriceÂ’s truculent, emotionally troubled daughter. Despite her uneasy relationship with George, it is her passion which most embodies his. She has learnt how to understand his contradictions and to embrace his humanity. Actor must be able to play a portable instrument such as flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, trumpet. 20s.

Duffy: Carlton doctor who is a long term friend of George and his family. Taught him how to fly a plane. “But George mate, you taught me how to live”. 50s – 60s.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the script or require some further details then please contact Vicki at vsmith@macarthurcook.com.au or 0419 329 052. Auditions will be held on Sunday Feb 1 at 1pm at Brighton Theatre.