BECAUSE

$5.40 – $15.00

Through the life of the controversial poet James McAuley, Because explores how individuals struggle - and often fail - to discover who they are and what they believe in. A chief focus is McAuley's attempt to undermine modern poetry by his invention of Ern Malley. The play traces the effect on those who were duped, as well as raising questions about the nature of poetic inspiration. The other contentious events of McAuley's public life are played against the backdrop of his fanatical support for Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war. In line with its concerns about truth, Because also questions how factual any portrayal can be of a well-known person who has recently died. (Because was chosen for ABC FM's series The Stage of the Nation , a selection of plays from around Australia).

APT