No Sugar (play)
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No Sugar is a play written by Jack Davis which is intended to expose Australian racism. It is a story set during the Great Depression, which looks into the life of the Millimurra's, an Australian aboriginal family and their attempts at subsistence.
The play explores the marginalisation of women and Aborigines within 1920s and 1930s Australian society. The pivotal themes in the play include racism, white empowerment/superiority, Aboriginal disempowerment, the materialistic values held by the white Australians, Aboriginal dependency on whites and the value held by the Aboriginals of family.
The play was first performed by the Playhouse Company in association with the Australian Theatre Trust, for the Festival of Perth on 18 February 1985.
[edit] Characters
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Some of the charactes in the play were actually the person holding the position at that time. Mr A. O Neville is the best example of this as he was portrayed as the Chief Protector of Aborigines, the title he actually held throughout the 1930s, when the play is set.
Some of the other characters include:
Jimmy Munday -the main character - he is an Aboriginal who despises the fact he is not equal in society and is not regarded as a 'person' by the government. he has a heart condition which leads to his death after arguing with Mr Neville at the Australia Day celebrations. Jimmy is a main character.
Gran Munday -Jimmy's mother, a traditional Aboriginal, she dislikes the new 'white mans' ways and stongly believes in the importance of family. She is the matriach of the family and supports her son and daughter and grandchildren. Gran is a supporting character.
Milly Millimurra -Jimmy's sister, who has three children. She stands up for what she believes is right and does her best to care for her children. She dislikes being treated badly, but realises there is nothing she can do. Millie is a main character.
Sam Millimurra -Millie's husband. Frequently caught with Jimmy breaking the law but is not as outgoing and vocal as his brother-in-law. He understands that they are treated unequally, but really does nothing to try and stop it. He is a supporting character.
Joe Millimurra - Mary's love interest and Milly's eldest son
Cissie Millimurra - Milly's daughter
David Millimurra - Milly's youngest son
Mr A. O Neville - Chief Protector of Aborigines
Miss Dunn, his secretary
Mr Neal - Super Intendent of Moore River Native Settlement
Matron Neal - his wife, Matron of the hospital.
Sister Eileen - a Catholic missionary
Sergeant Carrol - Racist sergeant of the Northam Police
Constable Kurr - Northam Police
Frank Brown - an unemployed farmer, who makes friends with Jimmy.
Mary Dargurru - Joe's future wife, lives at settlement
Billy Kimberley - Black tracker
Bluey - Black tracker
Topsy - Settlement girl, assisting Matron
Justice of the Peace - a farmer who sentences Frank Brown, Jimmy and Sam for alcohol abuse.
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