The Coming of Stork was the first play written by David Williamson.Brian Kiernan, David Williamson: A Writer's Career, Currency Press, 1996 p 55-57
The cast for the original production included Martin Phelan, Dennis Wilson, Alan Finney, Bruce Spence and Peter Cummins. It was directed by Finney and Phelan.
A revised version premiered on 3 January 1973 at the Australian Theatre, Sydney, designed by Lee Whitmore and directed by Aarne Neeme.
It was adapted into the feature film Stork in 1971, starring Bruce Spence.David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p25
Plot A socially awkward and loudly left wing student comes to share a flat with three of his University friends with disastrous results.
Background Williamson was asked to write a ten minute script for a Carlton theatre and ended up writing a full length play.
The play was autobiographical.
Characters On-Stage: Anthony "Tony" Doyle, mid-20s, has had nine jobs since college graduation, reputation for having a big dick ... Martin Phelan, Ray Gurney Ian West, mid-20s, trainee marketing executive, General Motors ... Dennis Wilson, Bruce Myles Clyde Henry, mid-20s, accountant ... Alan Finney, Matthew O'Sullivan Anna, 20, Clyde's girlfriend ...Shirley-Ann Kear, Zoe Lake Graham "Stork" Wallace, mid-20s, former medical student and activist ... Bruce Spence, Rod Williams Alan Bartlett, 46, Anna's other boyfriend, married with kids ... Peter Cummins, Mark Kelly Helen, Rivka Hartman, (deleted in revised version)
Mentioned: Joanna, daughter of a tinpot manufacturer, Tony's girlfriend Big Ed, West's Yank boss Maggie the Cat, gangbanger who stuffed a banana in Stork's pants rather than let him in Bob Martin, school friend of Clyde's. They would bash cats' brains out on concrete. Captain Richards, pilot Robin, girl Tony tries to match with Stork, film lover; they have a failed discussion about Federico Fellini's 8½ Abigail-Marie, nurse Tony's new girlfriend, marries a stockbroker Mick Masters, ex-boyfriend Abigail-Marie Johnny Taylor, goes out with another of Mick Masters's nurses that West wanted Mrs. Bartlett Their sons Nerilie Bartlett, their daughteer Antoinette, Tony's next girlfriend Chrissy Armitages, friend of Anna who lives in Toorak
References
David Williamson. The Coming of Stork -- Jugglers Three -- What If You Died Tomorrow: Three Plays. Sydney: The Currency Press, Currency Methuen Drama Pty Ltd, London: Eyre Methuen, 1974. 0869370219 (paperbound), 0869370200 (clothbound)
External links
Review of 1973 Sydney production at The Bulletin