The Two Frank Thrings. A study of two lives in the context of the performing arts in twentieth-century Australia. This dual biography of F.W.Thring (1882-1936), stage and cinema entrepreneur, and his actor son Frank (1926-94), will explore two remarkable lives in relation to their performance culture and society. It will provide the first scholarly biography of both men, and through them will illuminate the history of Australian cinema and musical theatre, investigate issues of distinctively n ....The Two Frank Thrings. A study of two lives in the context of the performing arts in twentieth-century Australia. This dual biography of F.W.Thring (1882-1936), stage and cinema entrepreneur, and his actor son Frank (1926-94), will explore two remarkable lives in relation to their performance culture and society. It will provide the first scholarly biography of both men, and through them will illuminate the history of Australian cinema and musical theatre, investigate issues of distinctively national iconography and voice, and examine the complex interactions between industrial/economic forces and artistic vision. Its principal outcome will be a book that should add significantly to our knowledge of the performing arts in twentieth-century Australia, and to continuing debates in the arts.Read moreRead less
Circus Aerialists: Bodies, Gender and National Identity. This research will produce the first critical study of circus aerial performance 1860 to 1990. It asks what the impact of this performance is on social beliefs about bodies. How has gender and national identity been presented in aerial acts? The research promotes the legendary Australian performers who have been among our most famous cultural exports, and yet remain neglected in Australia. Were circus athletes predecessors of sports athlet ....Circus Aerialists: Bodies, Gender and National Identity. This research will produce the first critical study of circus aerial performance 1860 to 1990. It asks what the impact of this performance is on social beliefs about bodies. How has gender and national identity been presented in aerial acts? The research promotes the legendary Australian performers who have been among our most famous cultural exports, and yet remain neglected in Australia. Were circus athletes predecessors of sports athletes? Increasing numbers of professional aerialists work in circus' multimillion dollar arts industry, which makes this specialised study, archive and book overdue. It is new knowledge that expands Australia's research base.Read moreRead less
Diaspora, Hybridity and the Nation: Asian-Australian Perspectives in Literature and Theatre. Australia's engagement with Asia remains central to our national security and economic development. Better understanding about Asians in Australia will enhance Australia's capacity to interpret itself to the Asian region. This research also addresses major concerns that are of significance to the wellbeing and cohesiveness of the nation: race relations, reconciliation, nationhood, and globalisation. By f ....Diaspora, Hybridity and the Nation: Asian-Australian Perspectives in Literature and Theatre. Australia's engagement with Asia remains central to our national security and economic development. Better understanding about Asians in Australia will enhance Australia's capacity to interpret itself to the Asian region. This research also addresses major concerns that are of significance to the wellbeing and cohesiveness of the nation: race relations, reconciliation, nationhood, and globalisation. By foregrounding the contribution of Asian-Australians in the cultural life of the nation, the research serves to enrich public life and foster stronger community relations.Read moreRead less
Australian Stage Comedians 1915-1930: Configuring a Comic National Identity. This project aims to make a major contribution to Australian cultural history by examining the origins of what has often been described as the distinctive Australian sense of humour.
While elements of this national characteristic emerged in colonial times, including an emphasis on stoicism, self-deprecation and the contradictions of existence (e.g. in Steele Rudd's and Henry Lawson's stories), this project will incre ....Australian Stage Comedians 1915-1930: Configuring a Comic National Identity. This project aims to make a major contribution to Australian cultural history by examining the origins of what has often been described as the distinctive Australian sense of humour.
While elements of this national characteristic emerged in colonial times, including an emphasis on stoicism, self-deprecation and the contradictions of existence (e.g. in Steele Rudd's and Henry Lawson's stories), this project will increase community awareness of how stage comedians during and after the First World War focused these tendencies into a distinctive emphasis on the comedy of everyday experience, and on maintaining a tough-minded optimism in adversity. Read moreRead less
Marking Masculinity in Australian Theatre, 1955-70 and 1985-2000: a movement-based analysis of performed masculinities in historical and cultural contexts. This project will chart variations and changes in the representation of masculinity in Australia during the second half of the 20th century, as revealed by a movement-based study of two contrasting periods of Australian theatre, 1955-70 and 1985-2000. Materials to be studied are written play scripts; film and video recordings of theatre perfo ....Marking Masculinity in Australian Theatre, 1955-70 and 1985-2000: a movement-based analysis of performed masculinities in historical and cultural contexts. This project will chart variations and changes in the representation of masculinity in Australia during the second half of the 20th century, as revealed by a movement-based study of two contrasting periods of Australian theatre, 1955-70 and 1985-2000. Materials to be studied are written play scripts; film and video recordings of theatre performance; and theatre reviews which comment on the performance of gender. The outcomes of the research, in the form of conference papers, scholarly articles and a jointly-authored book, will enhance our understanding of the social effects of masculinity, and of theatre's impact on social change in Australia.Read moreRead less