Australia Day @ Arts Theatre, Adelaide 8/4/2026
I attended the play Australia Day, performed by the Therry Dramatic Society on Wednesday, 8 April, and found it to be both an engaging and thought-provoking production. The play centres on a diverse committee tasked with organising an Australia Day celebration in a fictional South Australian town.
The first half is set in a scout hall over several evenings, where the audience is introduced to six committee members, each bringing differing perspectives and agendas on what constitutes an Australia Day celebration in a contemporary context. Through this setting, the play effectively presents a microcosm of modern Australian society and explores how differing viewpoints are negotiated in a community environment. The second half of the play is set on the day of the event, which deals with snags, portaloos and some back stabbing. The themes resonated strongly with me, particularly given my own experience serving on committees and knowing individuals who hold similar perspectives to the characters portrayed. The script skillfully balances humour and seriousness, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and insightful.
Australia Day was written by Jonathan Biggins and was first performed in 2012 in Sydney. Biggins has an extensive background as a writer, director, and performer, particularly through his work with the Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf Revue, including the notable production The Gospel According to Paul.
For this Adelaide production, the setting has been adapted to the fictional town of Makaratta, South Australia, giving the play a distinctly local and contemporary feel. The production is directed by Jude Hines, who brings over twenty six years of directing experience. Having previously seen Hines’ work in productions such as Home, I’m Darling (2023), Jersey Boys (2024), and Shakespeare in Hollywood, I can confidently say this production maintains the same high standard.
The Therry Dramatic Society continues to excel in its casting, and the ensemble of six delivered strong and convincing performances. Stephen Bills (Brian) and Adam Schulz (Robert) demonstrated excellent chemistry as the committee leaders. Bills, in particular, who I have seen in many productions, remains consistently engaging to watch. Steve Kidd as the belligerent and bullish bogan (Wally) and Michele Kelsey as “greenie leftie” (Helen) were standout performers, effectively portraying opposing viewpoints and driving much of the play’s central conflict. Kristina Kidd (Maree) and Ollie Xu (Chester) completed the cast with memorable and enjoyable performances.
I would also like to acknowledge the dedicated production team for delivering such a polished and entertaining performance, and I look forward to future productions by the Therry Dramatic Society, including Jesus Christ Superstar and A Comedy of Tenors later this year.
Theatre Review By Richard De Pizzol
Tickets for Australia Day are available here
