Australian theatre legend Jack Hibberd dead at 84
As a fervent admirer of the arts, particularly Australian theatre, I cannot help but feel a profound sense of loss upon hearing about the demise of Jack Hibberd, a luminary who has left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape. Born and bred in the heartland of rural Victoria, Jack’s journey from Wrrackanbeal to Melbourne was as transformative as it was inspiring.
Renowned Australian playwright Jack Hibberd has died aged 84.
Known particularly for his works Dimboola and A Stretch of the Imagination, which are considered seminal Australian plays, Jack wrote nearly forty plays, in addition to three novels and three books of poetry.
Jack was born in the countryside town of Wrrackanbeal, Victoria in 1940. In 1959, he relocated to Melbourne to pursue his medical studies.
At the University of Melbourne, Jack developed his poetry talents concurrently with serving as a film critic for the campus newspaper.
1964 marked the culmination of my long-awaited journey through medical studies. From that point onward, I’ve been both healer and wordsmith, weaving the tapestry of life in two distinct yet intertwined realms: medicine and playwriting, throughout my remarkable career.
Prior to his work as a general practitioner, he served as the registrar within the Department of Social Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. Subsequently, he specialized in the field of clinical immunology.
Besides founding the Australian Performing Group, an avant-garde theater troupe situated in Melbourne, Jack was instrumental in its creation as well.
He remained active within the group for a decade, including a two-year stint as chairman.
Back in 1983, I was instrumental in founding the Melbourne Writers Theatre. Additionally, I had the honor to serve on both the Theatre and Literature Committees of the Australia Council.
During an interview on ABC RN’s The Stage Show, Bill Garner, one of the founders of the Australian Performing Group, stated that Jack was leading a significant shift or transformation in the world of theater.
[He is] a playwright immersed in the heart of a theatrical upheaval – one he gave the words, while the performers supplied the physicality,” he remarked.
Throughout his lifetime, Dimboola, which debuted at the renowned La Mama theater in Melbourne in 1969, became his most widely recognized play out of almost forty that he wrote.
The story unfolds around the nuptials of Protestant character Morrie McAdam and Catholic character Reen Delaney, both residing in Dimboola, Victoria. This setting serves as the backdrop for our tale.
Family members strive to maintain their composure and respectability amidst approaching catastrophes, while audience participants are encouraged to join in the stage events as wedding attendees.
At the time, Jack expressed that his creative decision aimed to challenge and dismantle conventional beliefs regarding theater.
Jack mentioned that when people attend a performance, they often participate as if in a shared social event, thereby erasing traditional cultural boundaries related to theater-going,” (or)
Going to this theater in the city shatters and erases traditional apprehensions, making it a significant factor behind its widespread appeal.
In 1979, the movie version of the play was released, helmed by director John Duigan (known for “The Year My Voice Broke,” “Sirens”). The film featured actors like Bruce Spence, Max Gillies, and Max Cullen.
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2024-09-11 04:14