A performance exploring Australian identity as defined through sport

“From a distance, all we can assume is Sally misjudged when she reached 100 per cent of her ability”. Steve Lawrence, WAIS
“From a distance, to give up is almost very unaustralian” Cathy Freeman

In the 2004 Athens Olympic women’s eight rowing final, Sally Robbins stopped rowing. The media frenzy, and the discussion of national identity that followed are the starting points for this new performance by acclaimed Sydney performance group version 1.0. This performance is not about Sally or her team-mates, but about the reaction to their story in the Australian media. Of particular interest to the performance is the notion of ‘un Australian’, a term repeatedly used to describe those involved in the ‘no row’ incident. What is it to be ‘un Australian’? Using media transcripts and commentary on the ‘no row incident’, version 1.0 investigate Australian identity as defined through sport, probing the dark side of sport and nationalism with disturbing and frequently hilarious results.

Devisors and performers:
Nikki Heywood, Stephen Klinder, Jane McKernan, Jane Phegan, Elizabeth Ryan, Christopher Ryan, and Emma Saunders.

Director & Producer:
David Williams

Dramaturgy:
Dr Paul Dwyer

Consultant Director:
Yana Taylor

Video & Lighting Design:
Simon Wise

Sound Design:
Jason Sweeney

Production History
16-26 March 2006, North Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne as part of the 2006 Next Wave Festival ‘Empire Games’

5-16 April 2006, Performance Space, Sydney

Stage 1: Creative Development, took place November 7-25, 2005 Rex Cramphorn Studio, Dept. of Performance Studies, University of Sydney.