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| Back to the 70's Remember the days when "Countdown" was king and Toranas ruled the road, the time when high school geeks spoke of the inconceivable - personal computers and mobile telephones - and we could simply enjoy being Aussies? Now the excitement of the golden years of high school in the 1970s have been put down in words and music in an all new Australian musical, Class of 77, written by long-time performer David Hines. Inspired by Hines' graduating year from Bathurst High School in 1977, Class of 77 follows the lives of the graduating class as they near the end of their school years and wonder what the future will bring. Fifteen years later a high school reunion brings them back together and as old scores are settled and flames reignited, they realise the golden years are not those gone by, but those up ahead.  Having
performed in plays from a young age and developing a love of musical theatre in later life
after many years playing with bands around Sydney, Hines began writing his debut work in
early 2003 and completed it last year in time for Rockdale Musical Society's world
premiere in March."It occurred to me that most musicals were American and we have a situation of performers having to adopt an American accent and mannerisms constantly," Hines said. "When I started looking into it, it became clear that while there were many Aussie plays, there have been very few Australian musicals that deal specifically with Australian attitudes and issues." But he said with our culture in danger disappearing, shows like Class of 77 were imperative. "Up until the 70's we had a unique Australian culture and vernacular," Hines said. "Witness the fact that words like 'drongo' and 'dag' are hardly ever heard any more. Young people today are more likely to have a 'buddy' than a 'mate' or to say 'sure' instead of 'dead set'. "Also witness the disappearance from our TV screens of Aussie drama, replaced by US reality shows. There is so much stuff coming from overseas we are in danger of being swamped. Constant exposure to US drama and music has resulted in our adopting their culture at the loss of our own. I think the 80's was when that started to change with the advent of MTV, the internet, cable TV etcetera. This is my very small way of putting a little of our culture back." Hines said so many people loved, and still love, the '70s style rock and pop and setting the second half of the show at a reunion allowed us to see how much had changed in 15 years. But regardless of whether you were born in the '70s - or not, as is the case with most of the debut cast - there is something for everyone from grannies to kids, with music, dancing, intriguing plot lines and, of course, the obligatory love story. Hines is thrilled to have the world premiere staged by Rockdale Musical Society, despite how nerve-wracking it may be laying his soul bare. He chose not to direct the show because he wanted a fresh view of the characters and plot from someone else to allow it to live and breathe. Class of 77 plays at the Rockdale Town Hall from March 10. Bookings: 9543 1254. |