Australia Assembly

Australian Assembly
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.
Cast Size
24 but easily adjustable up or down (information can be split up between several more children taking cast size to 30)
Duration
Around 10 minutes reading time – this does not include music suggestions and ‘song performances’
Following is a 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.
To conclude: a bright, fast overview of a big, big country and a good introduction to a school topic.
Sample Text
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!