Slide from David Williamson’s website
On May 28 David Williamson gave the third Marcus Clark address at the Athenaeum Club, commemorating a notable Melbourne early literary figure. His topic was "Australian Identity". David has 45 published dramatic works, a higher score than Shakespeare, as was pointed out by the introducer who had starred in a 1963 Monash student review in which he had a hand. David replied that he has had a longer time on the job than Will. While usually seeing the work in hand as his favourite, he admitted to affection for The Club and Don’s Party. Emerald City also got a satiric mention. He spoke of his “black arm band view” of the Australian identity and had much more to criticise than praise. Yet there is a genuine soft edge to the cut as his screen play for Peter Weir’s Gallipoli shows—he intended it to be an anti-war statement about conflict, whose non-utility incurs his rage. Old journalist comrade John Jost was in the audience to give another cameo comment which shall remain unreported.
And then for something completely different except for the often confused country names-
On
Saturday we went to view Woman in Gold,
a study in diverse identities of Austrians and perhaps also lawyers. A well told tale that could have said much more
about the treatment and flight of the Altmann family after Anschluss
Helen
Mirren was once once again magnificent in portraying Maria Altmann (Bloch), a
claimant against the State of Austria (for restitution of property). The film gives a respectful portrayal of
lawyers and the judiciary and even the Austrian authorities, who are nevertheless
portrayed as authoritarian will little sympathy for facilitating the justice of
claims recognized under their law
