The School of Arts

  a play by Bille Brown

The School of Arts  is a new play by Bille Brown set in an Australian country town in 1967.

1967 was before most people had television, before the internet and the web, when communities often provided their own entertainment. It was the also the year of the constitutional referendum which recognised Aboriginal people as part of the Australian population. In a story based on the visit to the by a company of actors to perform Shakespeare in the School of Arts hall, many aspects of life in Australia at the time are brought to life in a dramatic way. There is suspense, humour, mystery, intertwined with Shakespeare and the events of the day, making it a play within a play..

As well as superb drama, The School of Arts offers insights into a different and significant time in Australia - insights which are as relevant and significant to life in Australia today.

The large cast provides plenty of opportunities for student involvement and for performance.

The author, Bille Brown, is one of Australia's most accomplished actors but has also demonstrated outstanding talents as a playwright. He has appeared in a range of productions on stage, film and television in Australia and internationally. His previous play is Bill and Mary, published by Phoenix Education.

Available for teachers is the The School of Arts Teacher's Resource Book with background information on the characters and the events referred to in the play, ideas and activities about producing and staging the play, from the perspectives of the actor, producer and designer. The Teacher's Resource Book is edited by Helen Sykes who has had extensive experience in teaching and drama.

The School of Arts is also available in a Performance Edition, produced for the 2009 Queensland Theatre Company and Queensland Performing Arts Centre production, directed by Michael Gow.

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