Category: Don Reid

  Riverside presents a CDP Production: BIDDIES by Don Reid at the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta. CODGERS came first and now, we have BIDDIES, both by Don Reid. In the former, six men ‘working out’ in a gymnasium and locker room, deal with life and all its challenges, especially, ageing. In the latter, six women “stitch and bitch” needle work in an infant school classroom and broom closet, deal with life and all its challenges, especially, ageing. The different locations and the primary task of each grouping of six may give you some clue as to the insight that Mr Reid…

    A Steady Lads & Christine Dunstan production. CODGERS by Don Reid at the Seymour Centre, Sydney. 18 months ago I saw the original production of CODGERS at the Riverside Theatres. I waxed lyrically over the cast that brought to life a fairly old fashioned and conventionally structured play. A type of play not favoured by the powers that be in 2010. The players, a team of veterans of the Australian Theatre, gave an afternoon of entertainment and gentle moral enlightenment that, however, for me, transcended any reserves about the play. This new production that is in the midst…

  This is a new play that has been nurtured by the Riverside production arm called BREAKOUT. (Robert Love and Camilla Rountree). It had a workshop season at Riverside last year. The play is set in a suburban gymnasium where are group of old friends, CODGERS, meet, exercise, have a community sing in the sauna and then a follow up chin wag out on the terrace with a cup of coffee and home made savoury biscuits (cheese and chutney). The action of the play passes over several weeks. It is a two act conventionally constructed entertainment with a great deal…