Class Play on Australia

Australian Class Play
This class play on Australia was written in celebration of Australia Day - joint narration by Pom and Swagman - an interesting mix of language and culture! tapping into this great country's history, geography and culture.
Review (from publisher contact)

A short play giving a lot of information about the land down under: some history, some wildlife, some music and some facts and figures to round it all out.

This is another well-presented assembly from Sue Russell. There is the usual large cast size to accommodate a class group, with the many, small parts offset by having the two main characters who are onstage for the majority of the production. There are regular musical interludes to add interest, and any passages that contain recitation of facts, figures or histories are balanced by changing the speakers or having the characters react – I particularly liked the Swagman complaining there was too much dry information.

Since there’s so much to Australia, there is a sense that this is more of a mish-mash of facts, figures and events than some of the other assemblies. However, this idea is adopted within the piece too, with the narrator complaining that Australia is so big there’s an awful lot of information to cover.

To conclude: a bright, fast overview of a big, big country and a good introduction to a school topic.
This class play on Australia is one of a set Sue Russell has written on different countries (Great Britain, England, Scotland, Wales, Holland, Australia, France, Spain, Malta, India, Africa) all available off TpT and www.plays-r-ussell.com
Extract 1
Narrator: Good morning and welcome to our assembly on Australia.
(Swagman strolls nonchalantly onto stage, looking around and ‘sizing' everyone up, before going over to Narrator, who is eyeing him cautiously)
Swagman: G'day, mate! So what's all this about?
Narrator: (Politely) Begging your pardon ..
Swagman: (Interrupting) Ah! A Pom! Now how did I guess?
Narrator: (Defensively) Something to do with me speaking the Queen's English? And as one of her loyal servants
Swagman: (Interrupting) Don't tell me! You're gonna tell all these good folks about life ‘Down Under'? Well, allow me to help out a little. (Turning to Cast) What says you to us livening things up a little around here?
(Whole cast nods enthusiastically, relaxing former ‘standing on ceremony' posture)
(Swagman walks over to CD player and turns on ‘Down Under' - chorus, children singing and dancing, whilst Narrator looks on in horror)
Music 2 - Down Under by Men at Work
Narrator: (To Cast) Cut!
(To Swagman, irately) Hey! Just what do you think you are doing? I'm in charge here!
Swagman: No worries, mate! No need to chuck a wobbly! I was only trying to help. (Pointing to Cast) These guys and Sheilas just looked like they'd enjoy a little taste of the real Oz.
Narrator: What? As delivered by a .. by a ...
Swagman: Swagman, that's me! And here (taking off bag from his back) .. Meet Matilda!
Narrator: Pardon?
Swagman: (Sighing) You poms! You're a bit slow on the old uptake, aren't you? (Holding up bag) This here is Matilda - my faithful travelling companion! (Takes a theatrical bow) And very pleased to meet you, too!
(Narrator takes a bow)
Narrator: (Coughing, nervously) Now, if you don't mind ... Charming as it has been to meet you and your lady (hesitates) bag, I really do have to impart a little more information about your homeland. So ....
Swagman: Fair dinkum! (To Cast) Have fun! Catch ya later!