Wake in Fright

Adapted by Bob Pavlich from a novel by Kenneth Cook

La Trobe Student Theatre and Film, La Trobe University and the Festival of Australian Student Theatre, Australia

Wake in Fright tells the story of John Grant, a young teacher from the city who is eager to escape his one-room outback school for the summer holidays. He heads toward Sydney, passing through the rough mining town of Bundanyabba. Losing his wages in a game of two-up, Grant becomes hopelessly stranded, quickly sinking into a cycle of drunkenness, hangovers, fumbling sexual encounters and increasing self-loathing. Trapped in a hellish limbo, the once ordinary world of rural Australia becomes the setting for his grotesque and sometimes surreal nightmare. 

By arrangement with the Licensor, Kenneth Cook Estate c/o Curtis Brown (Aust) Pty Ltd.

Thanks to: Anneli Bjorasen, Lauchie Bell,  Mia Carrol,  Kerry Cook, Pippa Mason of Curtis Brown (Aust) Pty Ltd, Dr Rob Conkie, Professor John Dewar (Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University), Sonia Di Iorio, David Ensor,  Aaron Hock,  Alan Lane, Holly Kendrick, Sophie George-Moore and all at the ISDF, George Lindgard, Beth Myring, Maureen Reitze, Sophia Robinson, Cameron Stewart, Mike Torney, Laura Wheelwright, Tom Willis, the La Trobe University Department of Theatre and Drama and Benjamin  Shostakowski and Belinda Locke of the Festival of Australian Student Theatre.

Cast and Crew

John Grant - Leo Milesi

Janette - Sophie Petridis

Dick - Stephen Foster

Jock - Kurt Mottershead

Doc Tydon - Matthew Bolger-Hobson

Joe - Jacob Pruden

Bar Woman - Renee Palmer

Tim Hynes - Matt Sharawara

Musician - David Wright

Producer - Bob Pavlich

Director - Bob Pavlich

Composer - David Wright

Stage Manager - Remi D’Agostin

Photo Credit: Lachlan Bell and Anneli Bjorasen