Pax Americana

Synopsis:

A kaleidoscopic epic centred on the life and times of JFK and Lee Harvey Oswald, but taking in such figures as Nixon, Kruschchev, De Gaulle, Joseph McCarthy, Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King Junior, James Jesus Angleton, Lincoln Steffens, Jackie Kennedy, Jack Ruby and many more in a deep, often searing exploration of the double-edged sword of truth.

Character Breakdown:

Ten-hander:  3 females, 7 males.  Playing 80 roles.

Production History:

World Premiere  1984.  Perth.  The Hole In The WallTheatre.

Other Productions   1984.  Melbourne Theatre Co., The Playhouse.

Publication   1990.  Yackandandah Playscripts.

Awards  1985.  Shortlisted Victorian Green Room Awards.
1985.  Shortlisted AWGIE Awards (Stage)

Reviews:

“.. Elisha is a sharp satirist, an expert destroyer of pretences and, behind it, a preacher with a lesson to teach.. an important and engrossing play which pulls no punches..”
Geoffrey Hutton, The Australian

“..  courageously ambitious..”
Mardy Amos, The Australian (Perth)

“.. amongst the most ambitious of recent productions and comparably inspiring..”
Bob Crimeen, The Sun

“.. will go down in theatre annals as probably the most engaging, original production done in this city.. gutsy artistry.. whizbang danger..”
Laurie Landray, The Herald

“.. a brave and thoughtful play..”
Antoni Jach, The National Times

“.. impressive, sharp and intelligent..”
Leonard Radic, The Age

“.. a tremendously ambitious play.. challenging and provocative..”
Graham Sharp, The Advocate

“.. Must be seen if you want to see how good local drama can be..”
Peter Kemeny, The West Australian

“.. one-liners which are as irreverent as they are poignant.. the sort of play one has to see several times..”
Dita Jevons, Geelong News

“.. bitter, biting and often very funny.. a truthful and deliberate savagery.. a stunning and enthralling evening that no true theatre-lover should miss..”
Leslie Anderson, Sunday Times (Perth)

“.. attention-grabbing from the first scene to the last.. one of the MTC’s best productions for some time.. very highly recommended..”
Robert Gibson, National Times

Running-time: 210 minutes.

This play exists only in hard copy:  0868050725