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Theatre Studies: Letters to Lindy

Context

Video - ‘Dingo’s Got My Baby’: Trial by Media  - The New York Times (duration 14:03)

In 1982, an Australian mother was convicted of murdering her baby daughter. She was later exonerated, but soon fell victim to a joke that distracted the world from the real story.

Anh interviews Lindy

Video - Ahn Do paints Lindy (duration 26:34)

Anh is joined by Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton. Her wrongful conviction for the death of her daughter Azaria in 1980, taken by a dingo from their campsite, is etched into our national psyche. Can Anh capture her strength and humanity?

Characters

Female, any age; doubles as:

  • ANONYMOUS (letter-writer)
  • NOLAN
  • ROFF
  • PHILLIPS
  • VALERIE THOMSON
  • MAY
  • CHRISTINE GEORGE
  • ROSLYN
  • INMATE
  • LILY
  • GUARD
  • KATH FISHER
  • MAVIS
  • JENNY
  • GREG
  • GORDON
  • SUSAN
  • GAYLE HANNAH
  • BARBARA
  • ELIZABETH MORRIS

Male, any age; doubles as:

  • ANONYMOUS (letter-writer)
  • JUDY
  • BARRITT
  • CAMERON
  • SCOTT
  • JAMES THOMSOIN
  • RONALD
  • MAN
  • GUARD
  • GLENDON
  • AIDAN
  • MALCOLM BROWN
  • NEIL
  • LIBRARIAN
  • GLORIA KIMBER

Male, any age; doubles as:

  • ANONYMOUS (letter writer)
  • GOODWIN
  • BROWN
  • SCOTT
  • BARKER
  • PAULA
  • JAMES DRAM
  • SECURITY
  • MAN REAGAN
  • MIKE
  • HELEN
  • LIBRARIAN

The Play

Podcast - Turning letters into drama (duration: 59:21)

Playwright Alana Valentine discusses the alchemy of turning letters and ledgers into the flesh and bones of drama, transporting our history into the artistry of universal emotional resonance. Recorded 14 July 2016.

Video - When did you decide to keep the letters? (duration 3:56)

Was there a moment when you consciously decided that you were going to keep all the letters people sent you? Can you remember what motivated you to keep everything?

 

Podcast - Lindy talks to Alana (duration 43:03)

Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton speaks to Alana Valentine about the making of a stage play. Recorded 7 August 2016.

Quick Links

Modern day Lindy(s)

Video: Handball Team fined for changing uniform (duration 7:25)

What do you think is an acceptable uniform?

Article: How women are taking charge of their uniforms - The Conversation (26 July 2021)

Video: Framing Britney Spears (duration 109:41)

Her rise was a global phenomenon. Her downfall was a cruel national sport. People close to Britney Spears and lawyers tied to her conservatorship now reassess her career as she battles her father in court over who should control her life.

Article: Britney speaks out (BBC news - 21 June 2021)

Video: The Numbers Game (duration: 34:11)

What happened when - more than a century after women won the right to run for Parliament in Australia - we finally got a female Prime Minister.

Video: Watch Ms Gillard's famous 'Misogyny speech' in full (duration 15:01) or the TikTok