# John Romeril

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Australian playwright

**John Henry Romeril** [AM](/source/Member_of_the_Order_of_Australia) (born 1945) is an Australian playwright and teacher. He has written around 60 plays for theatre, film, radio, and television, and is known for his 1975 play *The Floating World*.

## Early life and education

John Henry Romeril was born in 1945 and grew up in [Melbourne](/source/Melbourne), living in [Moorabbin](/source/Moorabbin) until 1966. He attended Bentleigh West State School, Brighton Tech., and Brighton High Schools, and then undertook a BA at [Monash University](/source/Monash_University), graduating in 1970 with majors in English Literature and Politics.[1]

## Career

Over the course of his career, Romeril wrote plays for theatre, film, radio, and television, including stage, [musicals](/source/Musicals), [puppet theatre](/source/Puppet_theatre), [pantomimes](/source/Pantomime), and [street theatre](/source/Street_theatre).[2]

In 1968 he became involved with [La Mama Theatre](/source/La_Mama_Theatre_(Melbourne)), which had been established in that year by [Betty Burstall](/source/Betty_Burstall). In 1969 a group involved with the theatre founded the [Australian Performing Group](/source/Australian_Performing_Group) (APG) in 1970 established the [Pram Factory](/source/Pram_Factory). The APG went on to perform many of Romeril's plays, which were performed at the Pram Factory. Romeril also worked collaboratively with other APG writers, including [Jack Hibberd](/source/Jack_Hibberd) and [Tim Robertson](/source/Tim_Robertson).[1]

His first plays, *I Don't Know Who To Feel Sorry For* (1969) and *Chicago, Chicago* (1970) were written while he was still a student.[3]

In 1972, Romeril co-wrote a one-act play for four actors called *Bastardy*, based on the life of the main actor in the first production of the play, [Jack Charles](/source/Jack_Charles).[4][5] Premiering on 23 August 1972, Charles played the main character at the season at the Pram Factory, with [Peter Cummins](/source/Peter_Cummins), [Jude Kuring](/source/Jude_Kuring), and [Tim Robertson](/source/Tim_Robertson) taking the other three parts. Charles plays a [cat burglar](/source/Cat_burglar) who was struggling to get over his drug habit. The production was directed by [Bruce Spence](/source/Bruce_Spence).[6][7][5] Charles has taken pains to point out that the word is *[bastardy](/source/Bastardy)*, not *[bastardry](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bastardry)*, Romeril having chosen the title because Charles "lived a life of [buggery](/source/Buggery) and bastardy in the Box Hill Boys' Home", and also referring to the fact that Charles was fatherless.[8] The script of the play was published in 1982 by Yackandandah Playscripts,[5] and a [documentary film of the same title](/source/Bastardy_(film)) observing seven years of Charles' life, made by [Amiel Courtin-Wilson](/source/Amiel_Courtin-Wilson), was released in 2008.[9][4]

*The Floating World* (1975) is his most admired play,[1] described by one critic as "a pioneering drama in the context of the predominantly Anglo-Celtic orientation of the APG's theatrical output".[10]

His later work is placed firmly in the context of Australia being part of the [Asia Pacific](/source/Asia_Pacific) region, including Japan.[10]

He co-wrote the film script for *[One Night the Moon](/source/One_Night_the_Moon)* with [Rachel Perkins](/source/Rachel_Perkins), released in 2001.[1]

## Themes and style

Romeril is known for collaborating when creating his works, in a way that allows many others to contribute to the work.[1]

His plays have examined many influences on Australian society, such as war,[11] [American cultural imperialism](/source/American_cultural_imperialism) and [national politics](/source/Australian_politics).[1]

His style has been described as [improvisational](/source/Improvisation) and musical, and is influenced by [Brecht](/source/Brecht). His works frequently require [audience participation](/source/Audience_participation), as is seen in the improvisational work *Kelly Dance*, where members of the audience members are invited to dance on the stage with the actors.[1]

## Awards and recognition

Romeril has been a [writer in residence](/source/Writer_in_residence) with [Jigsaw Theatre Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jigsaw_Theatre_Company&action=edit&redlink=1) in [Canberra](/source/Canberra), and [Troupe Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Troupe_Theatre&action=edit&redlink=1) in [Adelaide](/source/Adelaide).[1]

Other awards and honours include:

- 1976: Winner of the inaugural [Canada-Australia Literary Award](/source/Australia%E2%80%93Canada_relations#Pacific_partners:_1968–present)[1]

- 1988: [Victorian Government](/source/Victorian_Government) Drama Fellowship

- 1993: [Kenneth Myer Medallion for the Performing Arts](/source/Kenneth_Myer_Medallion_for_the_Performing_Arts)[1]

- 2003: [State Library Victoria](/source/State_Library_Victoria) Fellowship[1]

- 2003: [Australia Council](/source/Australia_Council) Literature Board Fellowship[1]

- 2003: Inaugural Australian National Playwrights Centre (later merged with Playworks to form PlayWriting Australia[12]) Award[1]

- 2006–2007: [University of New South Wales](/source/University_of_New_South_Wales) Literary Scholarship[13]

- 2008: [Patrick White Award](/source/Patrick_White_Award)[1]

- 2013: Lifetime Achievement award by the [Sydney Theatre Awards](/source/Sydney_Theatre_Awards)[1]

- 2014: [Australia Council](/source/Australia_Council) grants and awards[1]

- 2016: [AWGIE Award](/source/AWGIE_Award), [Dorothy Crawford Award](/source/Dorothy_Crawford_Award) for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession[14][1]

- 2017: [Member of the Order of Australia](/source/Order_of_Australia) (AM) in the [2017 Queen's Birthday Honours](/source/2017_Queen's_Birthday_Honours_(Australia)) for "significant service to the performing arts as a playwright and screenwriter, and to theatre companies and education"[15][1]

Some of his works have also been awarded, including *Tokyo Henry* ([Playbox](/source/Playbox_Theatre_Company%2C_Melbourne) Asialink Playwrighting Competition, 2003) and *Miss Tanaka* ([Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting](/source/Nick_Enright_Prize_for_Playwriting) at the [NSW Premier's Literary Awards](/source/NSW_Premier's_Literary_Awards), 2002).[1]

## Selected works

- *A Nameless Concern* (1968)

- *Kitchen Table* (1968)

- *The Man from Chicago* (1969)

- *Marvellous Melbourne* (1970)

- *Mrs Thally F* (1971)

- *I Don't Know Who to Feel Sorry For* (1973)

- *The Floating World* (1975)

- *Bastardy*, with [Uncle Jack Charles](/source/Uncle_Jack_Charles) (first performed 1972; published 1982)

- *[Jonah](/source/Jonah_(Romeril_musical))* (1985)

- *Kelly Dance* (1986)

- *Legends* (1986)

- *Definitely Not the Last: A rock'n'roll fable* (1989)

- *Lost Weekend* (1989)

- *Black Cargo* (1991)

- *Love Suicides* (1997)

- *Kate 'N' Shiner* (1998)

- *Miss Tanaka* (2001)

- *[One Night the Moon](/source/One_Night_the_Moon)*, with [Rachel Perkins](/source/Rachel_Perkins) (2001)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-14) [***p***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-15) [***q***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-16) [***r***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-17) [***s***](#cite_ref-austlit_1-18) ["John Romeril"](https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A9248). *[AustLit](/source/AustLit)*. Retrieved 16 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-mss_2-0)** ["Guide to the Papers of John Romeril \[MSS 054\]"](https://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/special-collections/guide-papers-john-romeril-mss-054). *[UNSW](/source/UNSW)*. Retrieved 16 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [John Romeril](http://www.ozarts.com.au/artists/artists_literature/john_romeril/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070830141443/http://www.ozarts.com.au/artists/artists_literature/john_romeril/) 2007-08-30 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (OzArts Online) Accessed: 26 February 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-browning2022_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-browning2022_4-1) Browning, Daniel (14 September 2022). ["'I called him Uncle': Remembering iconic theatre great Uncle Jack Charles"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-14/uncle-jack-charles-aboriginal-artist-indigenous-elder-leader/101437098). *ABC News*. [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation). Retrieved 16 September 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bastplay_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bastplay_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bastplay_5-2) ["Guide to the Papers of John Romeril \[MSS 054\]"](https://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/special-collections/guide-papers-john-romeril-mss-054). *[UNSW](/source/UNSW)*. Retrieved 16 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Bastardy"](https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/102722). *[AusStage](/source/AusStage)*. Retrieved 16 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Bastardy"](https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/C185640). *AustLit*. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["NAIDOC Male Elder Of The Year: Uncle Jack Charles"](https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/speakingout/speaking-out/13976980) (Audio, recorded 2019, around 3 minutes in.). *ABC* (Interview). Interviewed by Behrendt, Larissa. 24 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-imdbbastardy_9-0)** [*Bastardy*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1310363/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-varney_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-varney_10-1) Varney, Denise (2011). ["John Romeril – The Asian Australian Journey"](https://brill.com/view/book/9789401200530/B9789401200530-s009.xml). *Radical Visions 1968-2008: The Impact of the Sixties on Australian Drama*. Brill. pp. 127–128. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1163/9789401200530_009](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F9789401200530_009). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9789401200530](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9789401200530). Retrieved 16 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Griffiths, Gareth. ["John Romeril's Wars: The Dissenting View"](https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2445&context=kunapipi). *[Kunapipi](/source/Kunapipi_(journal))*, 18(2), 1996.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Australian National Playwrights' Centre Award"](https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/v1140). *[AustLit](/source/AustLit)*. Retrieved 16 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Playwright awarded UNSW Literary Fellowship"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070330185359/http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/culturediversity/writersprize/2007prize/Shortlist/index.cfm). [University of New South Wales](/source/University_of_New_South_Wales). 2 May 2006. Archived from [the original](http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/culturediversity/writersprize/2007prize/Shortlist/index.cfm) on 30 March 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["AWGIE Special Awards 1973-2018"](https://awg.com.au/files/documents/AWGIE%20SPECIAL%20AWARDS%201973-2018.pdf) (PDF). *Australian Writers' Guild*. Retrieved 24 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia"](http://old.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/qb/qb2017/mnxi3_8skq/Media%20Notes%20-%20AM%20(M%20-%20Z).pdf) (PDF). *Governor-General of Australia*. Retrieved 24 August 2020.

## Further reading

- *John Romeril* edited by Gareth Griffiths ([Rodopi](/source/Rodopi_Publishers), 1993)

## External links

- [John Romeril](https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/462) on [AusStage](/source/AusStage)

- [One Night The Moon: Interview with John Romeril](https://web.archive.org/web/20071001001153/http://esvc001106.wic016u.server-web.com/contents/01/17/moon_interview.html) at *[Senses of Cinema](/source/Senses_of_Cinema)*

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Netherlands Norway Other IdRef SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [John Romeril](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Romeril) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Romeril?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.