Liquid Amber

Jack Hibberd 1972. La Mama Theatre

Well I finished reading Jack Hibbert's play "Liquid Amber" last night. I must say I enjoyed it in particular its irreverence and as it says on the back cover its vulgarity. it poked fun at and tore strips off just about everybody and everything. The cast had an age range from 70 to 18 which means if it were done you could have a real cross section of ages I think making for a much richer experience.

As with his play Dimboola it's full of audience participation and the cast get to sing with a band. Having been fortunate to play The Groom in Dimboola, a role made famous by Bruce Spence (Stalk) I was curious to read Liquid Amber.

Would I consider Directing it? The answer to that is sadly 'no'. The culture wars have made it impossible. This play would cop it from both end of the spectrum. People are just angry today and looking for anything to be offended about. WE need cultural and political satire more now than ever. It's a play of its time and Hibbert like the others who created The Australian Performing Group (APG) fought the battle to get Australian stories on Australian stages. Their most famous member, David Williamson is now warning again of the lack of opportunity for young Australian playwrights to get their play staged here. Will we never learn? You can be as patriotic as you like and wave your Australian flag every day but if we don't have an Australian Culture and Theatre tradition then you have a very hollow country to wave your flag in.

( Picture: Jack Hibbert 1973) La Mama Theatre.