Evening Reads – The Complete Works of Wilhemina Baker

WILHELMINA BAKER’S MUM is doing her best as a single parent trying to keep her kids out of trouble. But she’s struggling.

The neighbours are reporting them up to no good, their school teachers are worried about how they’re coping and, on top of all of this, a stranger has moved into the caravan in the backyard that used to belong to their dad.

Despite her mother’s strict orders to the contrary, Will is insistent on getting her play written and staged, no matter the cost.

Kyle Walmsley leads the charge as director for the final instalment of Brown’s Mart Theatre’s 2021 play reading series, Evening Reads, penned by award-winning Aussie playwright Brendan Hogan of Yackandandah in regional Victoria.

“I was involved in an early stage development of this work with Playwriting Australia and was impressed by the heart, humour and the sophistication in presenting dark and uncomfortable issues for young people. The play reads really well as it’s very dialogue-centric and driven,” he says.

Hogan has won the national playwriting prize for young people, the Martin-Lysicrates prize, twice – once for this very play. The Complete Works of Wilhelmina Baker gently, yet hilariously, unpacks loss and family identity, all with Hogan’s signature “warm hug” comedy that is disarmingly child-like and authentic, making it an obvious choice for Walmsley.

“Brendan Hogan is a hidden gem of young people’s theatre in Australia. The journey is totally heart shattering, sobby, tear-jerkery, and I think that even translates in a read.

“It’s really good work, and I think including work for young audiences – not that it’s not equally delightful for adults – is a good thing to do in Darwin.”

Evening Reads – The Complete Works of Wilhemina Baker
WHEN THU 4 NOV | 7.30PM
AT BROWN’S MART THEATRE
COST $15
INFO brownsmart.com.au