Shift (play)

SHIFT was a two-act play written in 1975 by Australian playwright Diana King, also known as DQ.[1][2] It was directed by Alison Richards,[2] a notable figure in feminist theatre at the time,[3][4] and performed in Melbourne and later Sydney. It is recognised as the first lesbian play written in Australia.[5][6]

The play follows three waitresses who share a terrace house in Fitzroy, Melbourne[5] and centres on a woman coming to terms with her lesbianism, exploring themes of sexual expression, identity, and lifestyle. There are two climaxes in the play: one when Gabby is forced by her friend to face the fact she is attracted to her, and the second, when Gabby confronts her flatmate's mother, Victoria, with her sexuality.[7]

  1. ^ Moss, Merrilee. "Placing the Lesbian Centre Stage" (PDF). eprints.qut.edu.au.
  2. ^ a b Spunner, Suzanne (1979). "Since Betty Jumped: Theatre and Feminism in Melbourne" (PDF). static1.squarespace.com.
  3. ^ "Alison Richards - Biography". austlit.edu.au.
  4. ^ "Alison Richards". Black Hole Theatre. 21 August 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Shift". AusStage.
  6. ^ Dalgarno, Paul (January 2024). "My First Time: LGBTQIA+ Australians share stories in new series". Screenhub.
  7. ^ ""Women's Theatre Group: Exploring Relationships"". Tribune: 10. 29 October 1975.