

Barracking for the Umpire
Past Show - Season 2022
07 Oct - 23 Oct
Subiaco Arts Centre
A funny drama about footy, family and fragility, and what we're willing to sacrifice for the game.
Barracking for the Umpire
From the wickedly funny mind of comedienne Andrea Gibbs (ABC Weekend presenter, Barefaced Stories) comes Barracking for the Umpire.
The Castle meets The Club in this original family drama that asks us: what are we willing to sacrifice for the great game?
Doug Williams is the greatest footballer Donnybrook has ever seen. Hard as flint. Salt of the earth.
Delveen, his wife has been by his side for years, through head knock after head knock.
The club want to honour Doug with a lifetime achievement award, so the kids are all flying home to join the celebration. But the sure hands of this once great player are starting to fumble the ball.
Barracking for the Umpire tackles blokes and their vulnerability, the fragility of the human body, and the impacts of brain injury on ourselves, our family, and our community. This story will resonate with every AFL fan, player and parent.
“Up there Cazaly, in there and fight…I am a huge Andrea Gibbs fan and with this play kicks it out of the park, literally. This family is familiar and loveable…Fight like the devil, the crowd’s on your side.” Clare Watson, Director.
“Originally hailing from Donnybrook, Andrea has been described as ‘the quintessential cousin from the country.” The West Australian.
Proudly supported by Malcolm Robertson Foundation and City of Perth as part of the Funny Girl initiative.
Image by Frances Andrijich.
The commissioning of Barracking for the Umpire was supported by
Restart investment to sustain and expand (RISE) fund – an Australian Government Initiative
Dates
07 Oct - 23 Oct
Venue
Subiaco Arts Centre
Duration
1 hour 30 mins (no interval)
Content Warning
Dementia, amnesia, partial nudity, sexual references, fog and coarse language.
For additional content warnings, please click here.
Media
Artists

Michael Abercromby
Cast

Pippa Grandison
Cast

Joel Jackson
Cast

Steve Le Marquand
Cast

Ebony McGuire
Cast

Jo Morris
Cast

Ian Wilkes
Cast

Andrea Gibbs
Writer

Clare Watson
Director

Polly Low
Dramaturg

Sara Chirichilli
Set & Costume Designer

Lucy Birkinshaw
Lighting Designer

Joe Paradise Lui
Composer & Sound Designer

Michael Carmody
Video Designer

Riley Billyeald
Stage Manager
Madeleine Young
Assistant Stage Manager
Program
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