Synopsis
When the city council decides to end its rates and services rebate for the elderly, the pen-pushers in the Town Hall have no idea what anarchy they are about to unleash at the Sunshine Retirement Village. Led by tough former trade union firebrand, Shirley, and the ebullient former car salesman, Howie, the residents hit on the idea of ceding from the rest of the nation under the United Nations Charter.
Counselled by village resident and (she says) former Magistrate, Patricia, they're convinced that if they become their own independent state, then the local council can't tax them. Much to Patricia's horror, the other residents are determined to start things off with a bang, and retired farmer, Doug, is recruited to build a home-made bomb so they can spectacularly blow up a bothersome council-owned tree.
Doug couldn't be happier, he's been looking for something to do ever since he retired. With the tree destroyed and the emergency services out in force, the media climbs on board in the shape of aspiring young newscaster, Ashley Hardwick. Before you know it, the story has gone viral on the internet, and the revolution becomes unstoppable. The residents appoint their own Queen, and a new national anthem is adopted. This is serious stuff.
The revolution leads to more than just a back down by the local council. Love blooms between Patricia and Howie; the village’s eldest resident, and Queen, appears to die at a live press conference; and life and vitality are breathed into the spirits of these senior revolutionaries.
The rollicking comedy of the ‘The Old People Are Revolting’ cleverly explores attitudes to senior citizens in our communities, while treating the audience to an evening of fulsome entertainment. |
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Characters
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(2m, 5f)
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- Patricia - 70s, a resident, has an air of education and sophistication about her that is unmatched by the other residents
- Howie - 70s, a resident, former car salesman, a little crass and on the lookout for some fun
- Shirley - 70s, a resident, suffers from the effects of drugs and wild living of the 1960's, quick tempered, dramatic and erratic
- Peggy - 70s, a resident, a kind, gentle and insightful woman, who is never separated from her latest cross-stitch project
- Doug - 65+, a resident, recently and reluctantly retired from his farm after his wife passed away
- Elizabeth - 80s/90s, a resident, sufferers from dementia, only able to remain living independently with the help of the other residents
- Ashley Hardwick - 20s, a reporter for a local TV station, self serving, condescending, eventually gets to like the residents (f)
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