AWAY MICHAEL GOWMichelle Merritt

Overview

Away focuses on three families embarking on their summer

holiday at the end of the year. The families are seen as a cross

section of the Australian community at the time and they have different life experiences,

aspirations and attitudes.

Setting

It is important to remember that this is a play. The theatre setting is described

as minimalist so that the focus is placed on the characters and their

interaction with one another.

The ‘larger’ setting is the late 1960’s when Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam war was causing social and

political criticism and dissent.

Structure

The play is written in five acts, structured

into overture, conflict and resolution.

Physical Journey

The play begins during the Christmas season and the

characters undergo transformation as they face

challenges on their ‘physical’ journey when faced with new

situations and unfamiliar environments.

Dramatic Features

Stock/Stereotypical Characters

Play within a Play

Soliloquy

Juxtaposition

Imagery

Language – Figures of Speech

Colloquial Language

Shakespearean Allusion

Sarcasm

Metaphor

Repetition

Irony

Character List• She shows strength of character

in the face of herson’s illness• Supporting and loving, very

practical.Vic

• Experience of poverty have led to her being bitter and hardened

• Class conscious and pretentiousGwen

• Emotionally disconnected• Inability to accept the loss of her

sonCoral

• He is a young man and budding actor who has cancer

• He has a larger part as a ‘healer’ in the play.

Tom

•Like Vic, Harry is very supportive of his family, practically minded and loves his son.Harry

•Seems submissive and passive in the beginning; however, this is understanding.

•He is patient and stoic – holding his family together. A Peacemaker.

Jim

•The school principal•Concerned with his position in societyRoy

•Strong willed and opinionated•Quick temperedMeg

Themes

Family

Life and Death

Nature as a healing force

Shakespeare

Symbolism

Christmas Present

The Beach

The Shells

The Bonfire

The Storm