Books published by Currency Press Pty Ltd

This play tells the story of Olive Pink -- a trailblazing Aboriginal land rights activist and environmentalist. Ridiculed by her peers and shunned by the Alice Springs community for espousing ideals that were considered to be outlandish she was viewed as a public nuisance, to be barely tolerated. However, due to her vigour and vision the Olive Pink Botanical Garden was established in Alice Springs. "The First Garden" also touches on key narratives in modern Australian identity, seamlessly incorporating Aboriginal rights, environmentalism, the Gallipoli legend and feminism into its gentle rhythmic tone. This reflects a maturation of our society, where we are prepared not only to acknowledge but also to reconcile. (1 act, 2 male, 1 female).

In the countdown to Christmas the disappearance of a young girl rocks a small town community instigating a chain of events that will alter the lives of everyone involved. For Simon, the world he has built here was a second chance; though still ridden with guilt, in the eyes of the law he has paid for his mistake. Given a new identity, new history and a single confidante, he has successfully buried the truth of his past; even from Jessica, the woman he loves. Will events force Simon to step outside the prison his new identity has become and does the community have the right to know his true identity? (2 acts, 3 male, 2 female).

The Dreamers is the story of a country-town family and old Uncle Worru, who in his dying days, recedes from urban hopelessness to the life and language of the Nyoongah spirit in him, which has survived 'civilisation'.

One of Australia's Living National Treasures and its best known and most widely performed playwright, David Williamson brings us five of his latest works. Now in his 70s, age has not wearied him, and indeed this collection exemplifies Williamson's uncanny ability to be timely, relevant and thoroughly modern. As director Sandra Bates notes in her introduction Williamson is unique in Australian theatre because of his ability to see and understand Australia's current circumstances, our society's circumstances right here, right now; indeed to be ahead of what is current'. "At Any Cost?" deals with delicate end-of-life issues, and the huge costs of keeping extremely ill patients alive. "Managing Carmen" -- A secretively cross-dressing AFL superstar threatens lucrative advertising dollars. "Nothing Personal" -- two highly ambitious book publishing executives go head-to-head in an all-out war over the top job -- and unsurprisingly in 2012 it's two women! "Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica" -- two forty-something lonely singles come together in a delightful romantic comedy. "When Dad Married Fury" -- this play has it all -- the GFC, a billionaire, intense inheritance battles and a Tea-Party beauty queen!

In Mr. Melancholy three hermits, living in a lighthouse, discover a runaway circus clown washed ashore. In Footprints on Water a religious zealot wills God to wipe out his morally bankrupt village so he can restart the world.

In 1948, Angela left Malta. Having gathered up five children, she sailed out on the Strathnavar, leaving poverty and the war behind. Her destination: Australia. In Surry Hills, she could build a bright new life. If only she could first learn the language, finish shoring up their dilapidated house, find new friends, get the racist neighbour off her back and keep her son away from sly grog queen Kate Leigh's kids. Back in Malta, someone else has made a journey. Making his way along Kalkara's glistening harbourside, a young man with flowing black hair has returned to claim his past. Paul Capsis is walking home. A journey that begins at a kitchen table becomes a sprawling family history and a fitting tribute to a much-loved matriarch. (1 male or 1 female).

Brett Sprague is just out of jail. Reunited with his mum Sandra and brothers Glenn and Stevie, he's ready to reclaim his life. But things have changed while Brett has been inside. Girlfriend Michelle may have moved on, Glenn's moved out and Stevie is about to be a dad. As Brett's disruptive force takes hold, tensions flare and Brett embarks on a drink-fuelled rampage, sweeping his brothers along with him - with terrifying consequences. Twenty-one years ago, audiences were lining the streets to see the original Griffin production of The Boys. Since then, it's become a classic of the Australian stage and screen, winning along its way an AWGIE and four AFI Awards. (2 acts, 3 male, 4 female)

Side by side in a leafy suburb, Thom lives in one flat, Alethea in another. It's pretty clear that their respective, unsatisfying lives would improve enormously if they just met each other. But with a wall literally between them, this seems highly improbable. Then there's the building's Power Box, having an existential crisis about the eventual collapse of the universe, and the super nova from five thousand years ago. Then there's time travelling on an equation for the speed of light and too much sugar. There's demon magpie attacks, laptops in love, cats dancing to Prince and sock puppet nightmares. And a tiny prayer by the Wall, hoping that all of these pieces can come together for one magical moment of love. (1 act, 1 male, 1 musician).

A compelling collection of four plays by multi-award winning playwright Reg Cribb. THE HAUNTING OF DANIEL GARTRELL -- In the tradition of Australian gothic classics Wake in Fright comes a comedic thriller where Edgar Allen-Poe meets Banjo Paterson. GULPILIL -- Is a one man show about the life of, and starring, indigenous performer, David Gulpilil. Reg spent three weeks living with David Gulpilil in Central Arnhem Land preparing for the show. THE CHATROOM -- Details a 15-year old girl''s online experiences and explores the impact of our changing world on the relationships we have and the way we connect with each other. RUBY''S LAST DOLLAR -- Is the story of a survivor, a woman who would risk everything to ensure a better life for her grand-daughter, but who has only one thing left to gamble with -- her precious, lucky coin.

Something strange is happening in the country town of Hollow -- a mysterious syndrome that seems to strike only the young. The town is quarantined, schools are closed and fences go up. Guards patrol new enforced borders, but amongst the townsfolk denial runs deep. Part science-fiction, part satire, Falling Petals is a darkly humorous fable about the consequences of a culture of disposable youth and it also blasts the urban/rural fissure open. (1 act, 2 male, 3 female).

If you don't know who you are and you don't know where you are headed, you might find yourself spiralling in ever-tightening circles until you come to rest in a nondescript part of town in a crummy two-star hotel, where the service is churlish, the lift doesn't work, the toast is burnt and the pot plants set off your allergies. But keep your expectations low, really low, and, who knows? -- you might be pleasantly surprised by how everything works out. A hotel with reservations. Award-winning playwright Daniel Keene's play is an eccentric fable about taking up residence and trying to move on. (6 scenes, 4 male, 3 female).

Emma the Greek will sail the seas alone to save her father; Noah will search for his wife who flew off a bridge; Elise will fight the dragons snapping at her heels as she drives each night to lull her baby to sleep; Caleb, a curious misfit, will swim vast oceans to prove his love for Sylvia Wist; Sylvia Wist can climb up waterfalls and jump time and space. She may not be ordinary but then neither is love. At Sea, Staring Up is a richly poetic magical relationship drama that follows the journeys of five characters all motivated by love. Set over three continents and one vast ocean this richly poetic, thought provoking play weaves together a world of people who have lost, or are looking for love. (7 male, 3 female).

Love Me Tender is a play of beauty and emotional power. Inspired by Euripides' Iphigenia in Aulis, Tom Holloway has orchestrated a thrilling vision of contemporary Australia.

Things are not going well for the Conway sisters. Dad's just married the Geography teacher, oldest sister Bec's been evicted and Evie's suffering serious issues with her new besties. Michaela has twenty-four hours to solve her sisters' problems before she sits the most important exams of her life. What else could go wrong? A hilarious offering from Debra Oswald, "House on Fire" is guaranteed to put a smile on your lips and light a small flame in your heart. (2 male, 9 female).