Roger Bennett (playwright) facts for kids

Roger Bennett (1948–1997) was an Arrernte man from Central Australia. He was a talented actor and a writer of plays, known as a playwright. His most famous plays were Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses.

Roger's plays often shared stories from his own life. He wrote a lot about the travelling boxing tents. His father, Elley Bennett, was a boxing champion in these tents during the 1940s and 1950s. Roger himself also fought in these travelling shows.

His Amazing Plays

"Up the Ladder"

Up the Ladder was first shown at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 1990. Bob Maza directed this first show. Later, in 1995, the play moved to Melbourne and was performed for a long time at the Melbourne Workers Theatre. In 1997, it came to Sydney for the Festival of the Dreaming.

The The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper said that Up the Ladder takes the audience right into the exciting world of a travelling carnival. It showed everything from fake snake charmers to the boxing ring. The play was praised for being a "feel-good show" and "full of fun and good humour."

Some people thought the play wasn't "political" enough because it focused on the good parts of Aboriginal life in these shows. However, Wesley Enoch, who helped direct the play, said that any play about Aboriginal people is political. He explained that just having Indigenous people on stage is a powerful statement. He felt the play explored the different ways racism can appear.

In 2003, Up the Ladder even travelled to Tokyo, Japan! The Rakutendan Theatre Company performed it. Wesley Enoch, from the Ilbijerri Theatre Company, directed this version. Many Japanese actors were part of the show.

"Funerals and Circuses"

Roger Bennett's other well-known play was Funerals and Circuses. It was first performed at the Adelaide Festival in 1992. In this play, Roger explored important topics like racism and relationships between different racial groups. It was set in a small town in South Australia where there was a lot of racial tension. The music of Australian musician Paul Kelly was used in this production.

Roger as an Actor and Writer

Roger Bennett was not just a playwright; he was also an actor. He spent time as a "writer in residence" at different places. This means he was invited to work and share his skills there. He was a writer in residence at the Araluen Centre for Arts and Entertainment in Alice Springs. He also worked at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in Adelaide.

Why His Plays Are Important

Roger Bennett's plays are often studied in Australian high schools. For example, students in New South Wales learn about them for their Higher School Certificate. His works are important because they help students understand different life experiences and important social issues.