David Keith Williamson (born 1942) is an Australian

playwright A playwright or dramatist is a person who writes play (theatre), plays, which are a form of drama that primarily consists of dialogue between Character (arts), characters and is intended for Theatre, theatrical performance rather than just Readin ...

, who has also written

screenplay A screenplay, or script, is a written work produced for a film, television show (also known as a '' teleplay''), or video game by screenwriters (cf. ''stage play''). Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of w ...

s and

teleplay A teleplay is a screenplay or script used in the production of a scripted television program or series. In general usage, the term is most commonly seen in reference to a standalone production, such as a television film, a television play, or a ...

s. He became known in the early 1970s with his political comic drama '' Don's Party'', and other well-known plays include '' The Club'', '' Travelling North'', and '' Emerald City''.

Early life and education

David Williamson was born in

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

, Victoria, in 1942, and was brought up in

Bairnsdale Bairnsdale (locally ) (Gunai language, Ganai: ''Wy-yung'') is a city in East Gippsland, Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia, situated in a region traditionally inhabited by the Tatungalung clan of the Gunaikurnai people. The estimated popu ...

. He initially studied

mechanical engineering Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines and mechanism (engineering), mechanisms that may involve force and movement. It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and engineering mathematics, mathematics principl ...

at the

University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne (colloquially known as Melbourne University) is a public university, public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in the state ...

from 1960, but left and graduated from

Monash University Monash University () is a public university, public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria (state), Victoria, Australia. Named after World War I general Sir John Monash, it was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the ...

with a

Bachelor of Engineering A Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) is an undergraduate academic degree awarded to a college graduate majoring in an engineering discipline at a higher education institution. In the United Kingdom, a Ba ...

degree in 1965. His early forays into the theatre were as an actor and writer of skits for the Engineers' Revue at Melbourne University's Union Theatre at lunchtime during the early 1960s, and as a satirical sketch writer for Monash University student reviews and the Emerald Hill Theatre Company. After a brief stint as

design engineer A design engineer is an engineer focused on the engineering design process in any of the various engineering disciplines (including civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, textiles, aerospace, nuclear, manufacturing, systems, and struct ...

for

GM Holden Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary company of General Motors. Founded in Adelaide, it was an automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter that sold cars under its own marque in Australia. It wa ...

, Williamson became a lecturer in mechanical engineering and

thermodynamics Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with heat, Work (thermodynamics), work, and temperature, and their relation to energy, entropy, and the physical properties of matter and radiation. The behavior of these quantities is governed b ...

Swinburne University of Technology The Swinburne University of Technology (or simply Swinburne) is a public university, public research university in Melbourne, Australia. It is the modern descendant of the Eastern Suburbs Technical College established in 1908, renamed Swinburne ...

(then Swinburne Technical College) in 1966 while studying

social psychology Social psychology is the methodical study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. Although studying many of the same substantive topics as its counterpart in the field ...

as a postgraduate part-time at the

. He completed a

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...

in Psychology in 1970, and then completed further postgraduate research in social psychology. Williamson later lectured in social psychology at Swinburne, where he remained until 1972.

Career

Williamson first turned to writing and performing in plays in 1967 with La Mama Theatre Company and the Pram Factory, and rose to prominence in the early 1970s, with works such as '' Don's Party'' (later turned into a 1976 film), a comic drama set during the 1969 federal election; and '' The Removalists'' (1971). He also collaborated on the screenplays for ''

Gallipoli The Gallipoli Peninsula (; ; ) is located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles strait to the east. Gallipoli is the Italian form of the Greek name (), meaning ' ...

'' (1981) and '' The Year of Living Dangerously'' (1982). Williamson's work as a playwright focuses on themes of politics, loyalty and family in contemporary urban Australia, particularly in two of its major cities, Melbourne and Sydney. Major stage works include '' The Club'', ''

The Department ''The Department'' is a satirical comedy on BBC Radio 4 about a secret organisation with the power to influence every aspect of your life. The show is written and performed by Chris Addison, John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman (cancelled after ...

'', '' Travelling North'', '' The Perfectionist'', '' Emerald City'', '' Money and Friends'' and '' Brilliant Lies''. Recent work has included '' Dead White Males'', a satirical approach to postmodernism and university ethics; '' Up for Grabs'', which starred

Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...

in its London premiere; and the ''Jack Manning Trilogy'' (''Face To Face'', ''Conversation'', ''Charitable Intent'') which take as their format community conferencing, a new form of restorative justice, in which Williamson became interested in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In recent years he has alternated work between larger stages (including ''Soul Mates'', ''Amigos'' and ''Influence'' – all premiered with the

Sydney Theatre Company Sydney Theatre Company (STC) is an Australian theatre company based in Sydney, New South Wales. The company performs in the Wharf Theatre at Dawes Point in The Rocks area of Sydney as well as the Roslyn Packer Theatre (formerly Sydney Theatre ...

) and smaller ones (including the Manning trilogy, ''Flatfoot'' and ''Operator'', which premiered at the Ensemble Theatre). In 2005, he announced his retirement from main-stage productions, although he has continued to write new plays for the mainstage, many produced with the Ensemble Theatre. He had a serious health problem,

cardiac arrhythmia Arrhythmias, also known as cardiac arrhythmias, are irregularities in the heartbeat, including when it is too fast or too slow. Essentially, this is anything but normal sinus rhythm. A resting heart rate that is too fast – above 100 beat ...

, which had required frequent hospitalisation. An operation resolved this issue, but then in 2009 he had a mild

stroke Stroke is a medical condition in which poor cerebral circulation, blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: brain ischemia, ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and intracranial hemorrhage, hemor ...

, from which he recovered fully. In 2007, '' Lotte's Gift'', a one-woman show starring Karin Schaupp, which traced a journey through Schaupp's own life as well as those of her mother and grandmother (the Lotte of the title), was produced. In 2021, his memoir, ''Home Truths'', was published by HarperCollins. Reviewing the book for ''

The Sydney Morning Herald ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily Tabloid (newspaper format), tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, Australia, and owned by Nine Entertainment. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuous ...

'', Peter Craven wrote "He comes across as a likeable, flawed fellow with no more blindness than people of lesser talent".

Other activities

Williamson was instrumental in the founding of the Noosa Long Weekend Festival, a cultural festival in Noosa, Queensland, where he lives. In August 2006 Cate Molloy, former

Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party (ALP), also known as the Labor Party or simply Labor, is the major Centre-left politics, centre-left List of political parties in Australia, political party in Australia and one of two Major party, major parties in Po ...

member of the Queensland Parliament for Noosa, announced that Williamson would be her campaign manager as she sought to recontest her seat as an Independent.

Personal life

Williamson is married to Kristin Williamson (sister of

independent film An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is film production, produced outside the Major film studios, major film studio system in addition to being produced and distributed by independ ...

maker Chris Löfvén) who have homes in

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

and on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. They have five adult children. Michael Shmith, "Lunch with David Williamson", ''

The Age ''The Age'' is a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, that has been published since 1854. Owned and published by Nine Entertainment, ''The Age'' primarily serves Victoria (Australia), Victoria, but copies also sell in Tasmania, the Austral ...

'', 7 September 2013, Life&Style, p. 3 His son, Rory Williamson, and his stepson,

Felix Williamson Felix Williamson (born 29 May 1969) is an Australian actor. Early life Williamson is the stepson of playwright David Williamson. From age 13–17, he trained at the Australian Theatre for Young People in Sydney, Australia, learning the foundat ...

, are both actors. Rory starred as Stork in the 2001 revival of '' The Coming of Stork'' at the Stables Theatre in Sydney, produced by Felix's company, the Bare Naked Theatre Company.

Honours and awards

David Williamson Sydney Writers Walk plaque

* 1971 – British

George Devine George Alexander Cassady Devine (20 November 1910 – 20 January 1966) was an English theatrical manager, director, teacher, and actor based in London from the early 1930s until his death. He also worked in TV and film. Early life and education ...

Award * 1972 – Australian Writers Guild Awgie Award for best stage play and best script with ''The Removalists'' * 1983 – appointed an Officer of the

Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...

* 1988 – Honorary Doctor of Letters,

University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD) is a public university, public research university in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in both Australia and Oceania. One of Australia's six sandstone universities, it was one of the ...

* 1990 – Honorary Doctor of Letters,

* 1995 –

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission The Australian Human Rights Commission is the national human rights institution of the Commonwealth of Australia, established in 1986 as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and renamed in 2008. It is a statutory body ...

Drama Award for ''Sanctuary '' * 1996 – chosen to deliver the inaugural Andrew Olle Media Lecture * 1996 – Honorary Doctor of Letters,

* 2004 – Honorary Doctor of Letters,

University of Queensland The University of Queensland is a Public university, public research university located primarily in Brisbane, the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland. Founded in 1909 by the Queensland parliament, UQ is one of the six sandstone ...

* 2012 – Nominated Senior Australian of the Year

Australian Film Institute Awards

* 1977 – AFI Award, Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted, ''

Don's Party ''Don's Party'' is a 1971 play by David Williamson set during the 1969 Australian federal election. The play opened on 11 August 1971 at The Pram Factory theatre in Carlton (Victoria), Carlton. Plot Don Henderson is a schoolteacher living with ...

'' * 1981 – AFI Award, Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted, ''

'' * 1987 – AFI Award, Best Screenplay, Adapted, '' Travelling North'' * 2009 – AFI Award, Best Screenplay, Adapted, '' Balibo'' (shared with director Robert Connolly)

Helpmann Awards

The

Helpmann Awards The Helpmann Awards are accolades for live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia (LPA) since 2001. The annual awards recognise achievements in the disciplines of musical theatre ...

is an awards show, celebrating live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group ''Live Performance Australia'' (LPA) since 2001. In 2005, Williamson received the JC Williamson Award, the LPA's highest honour, for their life's work in live performance. , - ,

2005 2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...

, , Himself , , JC Williamson Award , , , -

Writings

Plays

*'' The Indecent Exposure of Anthony East'' (1968) *'' You've Got to Get on Jack'' (1970) *'' The Coming of Stork'' (1970) *'' The Removalists'' (1971) *'' Don's Party'' (1971) *'' Jugglers Three'' (1972) *'' What If You Died Tomorrow?'' (1973) *''

'' (1975) *'' A Handful of Friends'' (1976) *'' The Club'' (1977) *'' Travelling North'' (1979) *'' Celluloid Heroes'' (1980) *'' The Perfectionist'' (1982) *'' The Night We Blitzed The Bridge'' (1984) *'' Sons of Cain'' (1985) *'' Emerald City'' (1987) *'' Top Silk'' (1989) *'' Siren'' (1990) *'' Money and Friends'' (1991) *'' Brilliant Lies'' (1993) *''

Sanctuary A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred space, sacred place, such as a shrine, protected by ecclesiastical immunity. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety. This seconda ...

'' (1994) *'' Dead White Males'' (1995) *''

Heretic Heresy is any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs, particularly the accepted beliefs or religious law of a religious organization. A heretic is a proponent of heresy. Heresy in Christianity, Judai ...

'' (1996) *'' Third World Blues'' (1997, adaptation of ''Jugglers Three'') *'' After The Ball'' (1997) *'' Corporate Vibes'' (1999) *'' Face to Face'' (2000) *''

The Great Man ''The Great Man'' is a 1956 American drama film directed by and starring José Ferrer. The screenplay was written by Ferrer and Al Morgan from Morgan's novel of the same name. It was loosely based on the controversial career of Arthur Godfrey, ...

'' (2000) *'' Up for Grabs'' (2001) *'' A Conversation'' (2001) *'' Charitable Intent'' (2001) *'' Soulmates'' (2002) *'' Flatfoot'' (2003) *'' Birthrights'' (2003) *'' Amigos'' (2004) *'' Operator'' (2005) *'' Influence'' (2005) *'' Lotte's Gift'' (2007) – also known as ''Strings Under My Fingers'' *'' Scarlett O'Hara at the Crimson Parrot'' (2008) *'' Let the Sunshine'' (2009) *'' Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica'' (2010) *'' Don Parties On'' (2011) *'' At Any Cost?'' (2011) *'' Nothing Personal'' (2011) *'' When Dad Married Fury'' (2011) *'' Managing Carmen'' (2012) *''

Happiness Happiness is a complex and multifaceted emotion that encompasses a range of positive feelings, from contentment to intense joy. It is often associated with positive life experiences, such as achieving goals, spending time with loved ones, ...

'' (2013) *'' Rupert'' (2013) *''

Cruise Control Cruise control (also known as speed control, cruise command, autocruise, or tempomat) is a system that automatically controls the speed of an automobile. The system is a servomechanism that takes over the car's throttle to maintain a steady sp ...

'' (2014) *'' Dream Home'' (2015) *'' Jack of Hearts'' (2016) *''Credentials'' (2017) *'' Sorting Out Rachel'' (2018) *'' Nearer the Gods'' (2018)''Nearer the Gods''
production details, Queensland Theatre Company *'' The Big Time'' (2019) *''

Family Values Family values, sometimes referred to as familial values, are traditional or cultural values that pertain to the family's structure, function, roles, beliefs, attitudes, and ideals. Additionally, the concept of family values may be understood ...

'' (2020) *'' Crunch Time'' (2020)

Screenplays

*''

Stork Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. They belong to the family Ciconiidae, and make up the order Ciconiiformes . Ciconiiformes previously included a number of other families, such as herons and ibise ...

'' (1971) – based on his play *''

Libido In psychology, libido (; ) is psychic drive or energy, usually conceived of as sexual in nature, but sometimes conceived of as including other forms of desire. The term ''libido'' was originally developed by Sigmund Freud, the pioneering origin ...

'' (1972) – segment "The Family Man" *''

Petersen Petersen is a common Danish patronymic surname, meaning ''"son of Peter"''. There are other spellings. Petersen may refer to: People In arts and entertainment * Adolf Dahm-Petersen, Norwegian voice specialist * Anja Petersen, German operatic ...

'' (1974) *'' The Removalists'' (1975) – based on his play *''

Eliza Fraser Eliza Anne Fraser (née Slack; – 1858) was an English woman known for being shipwrecked at K'gari, an island off the coast of Queensland, Australia, on 22 May 1836. After being rescued from the island, she spoke and wrote of her experiences, ...

'' (1975) *'' Don's Party'' (1976) – based on his play *''The Department'' (1980) (TV movie) – based on his play *'' The Club'' (1980) – based on his play *''

'' (1981) *'' Duet for Four'' (1982) *'' The Year of Living Dangerously'' (1983) *''

Phar Lap Phar Lap (4 October 1926 – 5 April 1932) was a New Zealand-born champion Australian Thoroughbred horse racing, racehorse. Achieving great success during his distinguished career, his initial underdog status gave people hope during the ear ...

'' (1983) *'' The Last Bastion'' (1984) (TV series) – also produced *'' The Perfectionist'' (1987) (TV movie) – based on his play *''

Emerald City The Emerald City (sometimes called the City of Emeralds) is the capital city of the fictional Land of Oz in L. Frank Baum's ''Oz'' books, first described in '' The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' (1900). Fictional description Located in the center of ...

'' (1987) – based on his play *'' Touch the Sun: Princess Kate'' (1988) (TV) *'' A Dangerous Life'' (1988) (TV mini-series) *'' The Four Minute Mile'' (1988) *''

'' (1995) – based on his play *'' Brilliant Lies'' (1996) – based on his play *'' Dog's Head Bay'' (1999) (TV series) – 13 episodes *'' On the Beach'' (2000) (TV series) *'' Balibo'' (2009) *'' Face to Face'' (2011) – based on his play

References

External links