Large Cast

A downloadable anthology of twelve large-cast plays particularly suitable for years 9-12. The plays include a variety of comedies and dramas, a non-traditional musical, a fantasy and an ensemble storytelling piece. Cast sizes range from nine to 130 and often allow for considerable variability. Each play can be downloaded in manuscript form for easy printing, and includes a resource pack for teachers. Where available, this contains author's notes, reviews, information about the playwright, photos from previous productions, and comments from the selection panel.

Large Cast is available, and costs $25.00

THE PLAYS

Ned Manning

ALICE DREAMING

A teenage girl, struggling with her identity, feels trapped by the expectations of those around her. She escapes into the world of her imagination where she is befriended by an Albatross who guides her on a journey of... more

Sue Rider

BUMPY ANGELS

It is February 1954. In a home for pregnant and wayward girls somewhere in Australia, a group of young women are coming to terms with being hidden away because of the shame of breaking society's taboos. With little in common except... more

Sandra Shotlander

CHRONICLES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

A young woman looks back on her struggle to survive tumultuous times during the French Revolution. It is a fast-paced sweep through French history, from events leading to the fall of the Bastille, to the Terror in 1794. In Brechtian... more

Linda Stainton

DROUGHT BREAKER

In far western New South Wales the booming silver mines of Hades Crossing feed the burgeoning economy of a newly minted nation. But when months pass without rain, the growing population and its thirsty mines soon outstrip the water... more

David Megarrity

GATE 38

Airports are a place of transition, empty halls of fleeting comings, goings and waitings. 'Gate 38' follows the experience of four groups of young people trapped at this point of departure. As contact with the outside world is cut... more

Gail Evans

GENERATION B

When Eris, the Goddess of Discord and Strife, is humiliated in front of her fellow Olympians by Zeus's refusal to give her a sip of ambrosia, she vows to seek revenge! Eris infiltrates the sacred beehive that creates the ambrosia and,... more

Barry Kay

HANGING ON TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD

Hanging on to the Bottom of the World tells the rather staid story of Australian Federation in a way that is as theatrical, physical, visual and funny as possible while not shying away from the darker side of the story – the White... more

Michael Hill

MOTION SICKNESS

Sean has a terrible confession to make. He wants to tell his sister the unforgivable thing he has done, but just as he gathers the courage to walk through the door of the building where she works, the ground begins to shake and the... more

Stephen Carleton

SMELLS LIKE IMPULSE

A deliriously tacky comedy about stereotypes in the schoolyard, embracing self-image and taking control of your own school life. Written for Darwin High School students with lots of local references. Great opportunity for kids to put... more

Kate Rice

SOMETHING WICKED

While doing time in the dreaded Detention Room Three, five schoolgirls unwittingly unlock a portal to the world of Macbeth. The Witches prophesy great things for the girls, promising them their dearest wishes. When the prophecies come... more

Alan Becher

STORIES FROM SUBURBAN ROAD

Adapted by Alan Becher from Tom Hungerford's autobiography of the same name, Stories from Suburban Road is a nostalgic and vivid look at growing up in an Australian rural setting between two world wars. 'This is storytelling at... more

Donna Abela

TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

The King has beheaded his Queen. The desperate outsiders she hid in his kingdom have been locked up, and he has vowed to execute them, one by one, each dawn. But, disguised as the next outsider due to die, Shahrazad tells stories... more

Buy this collection at australianplays.org

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