Commissioned and presented by the Street Theatre Canberra.
You’ve laughed along with the political satirists and you’ve enjoyed seeing the pollies taken down a peg or two by the cartoonists. You’ve joined in the chorus that accuses them of being trough feeders and dishonest, self-interested bastards.
But what if you’re wrong?
Ever wonder if it’s actually your cynicism and negativity toward our public representatives that is compromising one of the most high-functioning democracies in the Western world?
MP. is a timely and provocative look at the experience of female politicians working as elected representatives in our parliaments. Based on extensive interviews with politicians as diverse as Julie Bishop, Tanya Plibersek, Judy Hopwood, Kay Hull, Kate Lundy and Vicki Dunne, the play looks behind the scenes at how they juggle their relationships with party colleagues, journalists, public servants, electoral constituents, staff advisors, friends and family members.
What emerges is a fascinating series of moral dilemmas faced by those trying to bring about change and those trying to stop them, those who know how to play the game and those who are simply ambitious for their own advancement.
This is a fictional version of the inside scoop based on interviews with Annabel Crabb, Laura Tingle, Virginia Haussegger and a whole gaggle of public servants (who declined to be named!)
MP. goes where no current affairs show or panel discussion dares to tread – deep into the messy emotional life of an MP. working in the snake pit of uneasy coalitions, public betrayals and knife-edge decisions that is Australian politics.
– Female
– 3 Male (3 with doubling)
more info
Another review from The Canberra Times
Stage Whispers Review (PDF)
The Canberra Times Review (PDF)