Influence ; Operator

Synopsis

Two Plays

INFLUENCE -- Ziggi Blasko knows how to turn fear into hate.

A talkback radio host with 'commonsense' answers, he likes to push buttons.

His diatribes against political correctness, feminism, multiculturalism, immigration and bleeding hearts flood the airwaves and the scary part is that people listen.

At home, however, his influence isn't quite so great -- his wife Carmela is too narcissistic to listen much, his daughter Vivienne is a manic depressive, his father Marko is a Croatian refugee with a secret that could destroy Ziggi's career, and his sister Connie is as strong-minded as Ziggi, but with opinions and solutions worlds apart.

When Zehra, a Turkish housekeeper with a moral core diametrically opposed to Ziggi, enters the fray, the simplistic contradictions of Ziggi's world view look set to implode in this latest satire from Australia's most popular playwright.

(2 acts, 3 male, 4 female).

OPERATOR -- What would a Machiavellian do if he found himself the melpoyee of medium-scale manufacturer of gym equipment?

He would use his charm, wit and general ingenuity to manipulate those around him to further his career, of course.

Enter Jake.

He is the Operator, ready to exploit everyone on his way to the top, from the kindly and competent Melissa to the smug CEO Douglas.

In this chillingly funny play David Williamson turns his scathing wit on the darker side of corporate behaviour.

(2 acts, 3 male, 3 female).

Themes

• Business & Economics
• Labor