What If You Died Tomorrow?

What If You Died Tomorrow? is a 1973 play written by David Williamson. It was commissioned by the Old Tote Theatre Company for its first drama season at the new Sydney Opera House.[1][2][3]

What If You Died Tomorrow?
Written byDavid Williamson
Date premiered27 September 1973
Place premieredOld Tote, Sydney Opera House
Original languageEnglish

Background

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The play has a number of autobiographical elements, being about a doctor turned novelist and journalist who have left their respective spouses to live in an artists colony. David Williamson was an engineer turned playwright who lived in an artists colony in Eltham with wife Kristin after both left their respective spouses.[4][5] Williamson's parents claimed the characters of the parents were based on them.[6] It was Williamson's first play to deal with inter-generational conflicts on stage.[7]

Productions outside Australia

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The Old Tote production was performed in England in September 1974,[8] making it the first full Australian production to have played in London since Summer of the Seventeenth Doll.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Jones, Dave (1 January 1974). "David Williamson". Cinema Papers. No. 1. p. 9.
  2. ^ "THEATRE Very funny comedy is well produced". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 19 March 1974. p. 3. Retrieved 8 May 2020 – via Trove.
  3. ^ "LIFE STYLE PEOPLE EXPERTS AT PLAYING OPPOSITE EACH OTHER". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 19 March 1974. p. 10. Retrieved 8 May 2020 – via Trove.
  4. ^ Kiernan p 120-122
  5. ^ "David Williamson in Conversation". ABC Radio National. 25 July 2006.
  6. ^ Cochrane, Peter (14 March 1997). "Williamson's World". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 15.
  7. ^ "Two Sides of the Australian Play". The Age. 7 September 1974. p. 20.
  8. ^ Production details at AusStage
  9. ^ Kiernan p 144

Notes

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  • Kiernan, Brian, David Williamson: A Writer's Career, Currency Press, 1996
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