Award-winning playwright David Burton’s new play Whitlam: An Australia Fantasy to premier at UniSQ

As Queenslanders prepare to go to the polls, an award-winning playwright dived into recently declassified material from the Whitlam years for his new piece that pokes fun at the rise and fall of one of Australia’s most notorious political leaders.

Award-winning playwright David Burton has drawn on recently declassified material from the Whitlam years for his new peace of political satire.

As Queenslanders weigh up who they will vote for at the coming election, an award-winning playwright is offering a tongue-in-cautionary tale of what happens when new leaders are given unchecked power over the reins of government.

Presented by UniSQ School of Creative Arts, Whitlam: An Australian Fantasy takes audiences back to the tumultuous time of 70s Australia and pokes fun at Gough Whitlam’s breakneck rise and the hubris behind his fall.

Award-winning playwright David Burton said the piece draws on recently declassified material, providing a fresh take on a very familiar story.

“Everybody knows the line ‘Well may we say, God save the Queen, but nothing will save the Governor–General’ but for years before that there was a fairly scandalous sex story that came out about his staff,” he said.

“There was some interesting stuff happening with the economy though perhaps most disturbing of all was this really intense classified relationship between President Nixon and Prince Charles, pieces of history that are still being unveiled today from documents that have only recently become declassified.”

Thursday’s show will be the first time the piece will be performed after it was workshopped with second and third year theatre students.

“They’re a terrifically insightful and funny bunch,” Burton said.

Playwright David Burton said Whitlam’s career provides a cautionary tale for all aspiring leaders.

“Through the process of rehearsals, we’ve allowed the script to grow and develop and part of that has been looking at where we can stretch the cheekiness?

“Some of these characters are very cartoonish and all of it is a story bigger than life so that has allowed some terrific opportunities for comedy to emerge.”

Burton has authored more than 30 scripts for Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe, Queensland Theatre, La Boite Theatre Company, Queensland Music Festival

His first book, How to Be Happy won The Text prize for best manuscript written for young adults and children.

While it has been almost 50 years since Whitlam was shown the door, Burton said the lessons from his leadership remain as important today, as they did in the early 70s.

“Only a few years ago we were learning about Scott Morrison taking cabinet positions in secret,” he said

“We’re on the precipice of an election in Queensland and all of those questions are coming up about what it means to be a good citizen, a good politician and a good leader.

“In those last couple of years, you realise just how close to the sun Whitlam was flying, he had a disrespect for the rules and in the end I think that’s what did him in.

“You’ve got to watch these people and make sure their hands are above the table at all times because people will bend rules to try and get ahead.”

Whitlam: An Australian Fantasy, will be formed at the UniSQ A Block Theatre on Thursday, 7-.8.30pm, Friday 11:00am-12:30pm and 7-8.30pm, Saturday from 7-.8.30pm.

For tickets visit: schoolcreativearts.unisq.edu.au/events/