Face to Face (play)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Face to Face | |
|---|---|
| Written by | David Williamson |
| Date premiered | 1999 |
| Original language | English |
Face to Face is a play by Australian playwright David Williamson that premiered in 1999. It is part of the Jack Manning Trilogy (Face to Face (1999), A Conversation (2001), Charitable Intent (2001)[1] which take as their subject community conferencing, a new form of restorative justice in Australia, which Wiliamson became interested in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The story concerns Glen, a young construction worker, who rams into the back of his former boss's Mercedes in a fit of anger at being sacked; he is given the opportunity to discuss his actions in a community conference, rather than going straight to court.[2]
The play was inspired by the Maoris’ use of a method of community justice in New Zealand, bringing together the victim and perpetrator for conferencing.[3] The play sees a convener bring together a sacked employee, his boss, family, friends and fellow workers for a community conference.[4] It was based in part on four real conferences.[5]
The play favourably compares community conferencing to the Australian court system, which it portrays as rigid and unfair.[citation needed]
Jack Manning, a community conference convener, has interviewed each of the characters before the play. He is intelligent, discerning, skilled and experienced. He acts as a commentator rather than facilitator, paraphrasing and making suggestions to participants. He is married and has four kids.
Glen Tragaskis is in his mid-twenties. It is implied that he is mentally handicapped in some way. In the conference it is mentioned that he constantly boasts about women to impress his friends. He explains that he was fired as a result of being pranked by friends and coworkers, who told him that his boss's assistant, Julie, and later Therese, was interested in him. After he realises he is being fooled, Glen seeks out the coworkers responsible. He assaults his foreman Richard even though Richard only knew of the pranks but was not responsible. Shortly after this, Glen's boss Greg fires him, and then Glen rams into the back of Greg's Mercedes in a fit of anger at being sacked. It is revealed that Glen was physically abused by his father, who eventually killed himself after a conversation. Glen is childish, gullible and dangerous when angry.
Maureen Tragaskis, Glen's mother, is in her early 40s. Nearly all of the characters appear to have some respect for her, and it is revealed that she has had an affair with Glen's boss Greg. She is critical of Glen's workmates.
Greg Baldoni, Glen's boss, is in his early 50s.