Toy Symphony (play)

Toy Symphony is a two-act play written by Australian playwright Michael Gow and published by Currency Press in 2008.[1] It is Gow’s first full-length play in over a decade since Sweet Phoebe and won several awards at its 2007 premiere production at Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney.

Toy Symphony is the story of writer Roland Henning, a character who has appeared in Gow’s earlier play Furious, Toy Symphony tells the story of the turmoil Henning faces as a result of his writer's block, as he tries to explain his past to his therapist in order to grasp some understanding of his current situation. It is considered to be at least partially autobiographical.[2]

Characters
  • Roland Henning
  • Nina (a therapist)
  • Lawyer
  • Mrs Walkham (a primary school teacher)
  • Julie Pearson (a schoolgirl)
  • Mr Delvin, Headmaster
  • Alexander the Great
  • Dr Maybloom, a specialist
  • Executioner
  • Nicolaijs Eglitis, a schoolboy
  • Titus Oates
  • Steven Gooding, a school bully
  • Miss Beverly, a school teacher
  • Nurse
  • Daniel, a Drama student
  • Tom, a drug dealer

Plot summary

Roland Henning has writer's block. When he tries to explain the situation to a therapist, his story begins to tumble back and forth between his childhood in The Shire and his work as a playwright. At the root of it all is that extraordinary day in primary school which shattered his boyhood and plunged him headlong into the dizzy circus of life and art.

Awards

Original Production

Toy Symphony was first produced by Company B, a theatre company based at Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney. The production received rave reviews and won several awards including Best Director and Best Actor.

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References
  1. Gow, Michael (2008). Toy Symphony. Sydney: Currency Press. ISBN 9780868198286.
  2. https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117935534?refCatId=33
  3. Helpmann Awards Winners 2008 Archived 2008-10-21 at the Wayback Machine
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