A sharp, fast-paced, satirical comedy served with a twist of disquiet, Canberra’s The Street Theatre presents the premiere of Tom Glassey’s Playback (or, a Play About But Not Starring A Famous Politician) this May.
Deborah was aged out of broadcast television. Now she hosts the Proper Gander podcast. On the day of Scott Morrison’s valedictory, she realises she may be staring at a last chance to make something of her career.
She will interview Scott Morrison – she’s been paying attention, she knows what he did, she will make sure he doesn’t get away with it. Enter an enigmatic young man who teams up with Deborah to find the singular question that will define one legacy, and end another.
In 2025 Canberra based writer Tom Glassey took up residence at The Street to write and work on the creative development of his new play, under the guidance of development consultant Ross Mueller.
Drawing from his experience as a press gallery journalist, his latest work Playback (or, a Play About But Not Starring A Famous Politician) explores the many and varied political lives of Scott Morrison, and the public lives he affected.
“I have a thing for Scott Morrison. I set out to write this work hoping for some sort of catharsis. Hoping that if I read enough books and columns, and watched his episode of Kitchen Cabinet enough times, I’d uncover something about the man that explained him to me. But ultimately, all I learned is that there are people far more important than Scott Morrison, whose names are far less known,” said Playwright Tom Glassey.
Bringing his screen experience to the production, award-winning film and theatre maker Craig Alexander (AWGIE nominated Snatchers) provides direction with recordings and streamed images, saying, “Tom has crafted an expose on the political structures that hold humanity at arms length,” he said. “Hilarious and thought provoking with a unique multi-media aspect built right in to the text, it’s the ideal blend of stage and screen that I relish playing in.”
Playback (or, a Play About But Not Starring A Famous Politician) tackles how obsessive political hysteria so often drowns out the suffering of people in our society. Go on a journey with the great equivocator through boats and strawberries, Hawaii and hoses, women and Robodebt.
Featuring outstanding actors, Andrea Close (MP) and Tyler Jenkins (The Jury Experience) with designers Véronique Benett (The Story of The Oars) and Leah Ridley (The Chosen Vessel) Playback (or, a Play About But Not Starring A Famous Politician) invites audiences into the world of framing modern politics.
Playback (or, a Play About But Not Starring A Famous Politician)
The Street Theatre (2), 15 Childers Street, Canberra City West
Season: 22 – 31 May 2026
Information and Bookings: www.thestreet.org.au
Image: Playback (or, a Play About But Not Starring A Famous Politician) – courtesy of The Street Theatre