‘Greatest living playwright’: David Williamson’s new show ignores polite society

David Williamson, arguably the nation’s greatest living playwright, ignores all the rules of polite society in his new play, writes Phil Brown.

David Williamson ignores all the rules of polite society in his play Family Values. It kicks off 2023 for Queensland Theatre and is now previewing at The Bille Brown Theatre, South Brisbane, ahead of opening night Thursday.

It covers religion, politics and other contemporary issues. That makes it thought provoking and entertaining in true Williamson style and that’s what makes Noosa-based Williamson, 80, our greatest living playwright. He’s the author of more than 50 plays including iconic works such as The Removalists, The Club and Emerald City, among others.

Family Values is about Roger (played by Peter Kowitz) a retired High Court judge whose children are home for his birthday and end up making him miserable.

“Family conflict is inevitable,” Williamson says. “I view my role as a state of the nation reporter and while human nature doesn’t change, surface events do.”

David Williamson, with cast members Amy Ingram and Leon Cain from Family Values. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The play debuted in Sydney in 2020 and was then interrupted by the pandemic. Now it’s back, tweaked slightly. It is directed by Queensland Theatre’s Lee Lewis who says it is “a clear vision of Williamson’s radical hope for a better and more inclusive future”.

The retired judge’s kids have issues with him and each other. Amy Ingram plays younger daughter Emily who turns up with her fiancee, Noelene, who is the skipper of the Border Protection boat on which Emily serves. This causes problems since one of the judge’s children is harbouring a refugee from Iran, an issue that got a lot more serious recently.

“The play has become even more relevant because of that,” Williamson says.

“The initial impetus for the play was our treatment of refugees. Since I wrote it there has been a change of government and circumstances have changed but not as much as we had hoped.”

Williamson is revered in the theatre world and the actors in QT’s production are revelling in being in a play by the master.

“This one is new and has a real political edge,” Amy Ingram says. “It feels really potent.”

Leon Cain plays the judge’s divorced son Michael who has been obsessed with Lego.

“He has also found Hillsong,” Cain says. “It’s great fun. It’s basically trying to choreograph a full on argument on stage. It doesn’t let up.”

queenslandtheatre.com.au