| COUP d’ETAT…..what the critics said:
"An engaging night in the theatre which revolves around a fascinating concept –
constitutional crisis in Malaysia involving the king, politics and the law." Graham Pearce,
Sunday Herald Sun.
"Coup d’Etat is a considered examination of moral and emotional dilemmas,
accompanied by music that provides a connecting thread and an important aesthetic
dimension. The play’s theatricality develops drama’s central preoccupation with conflict
with an admirable passion and moral seriousness. This Islamic world [also] manages
to be both funny and thought-provoking. A range of Asian instruments provides a
welcome variety of atmospheric accompaniments. Excellent, truly outstanding
performances." Helen Thomson, The Age.
"Fleming Coup. [Like] Michael Frayn’s play, Copenhagen, Coup d’Etat is an engrossing
night in the theatre. Justin Fleming achieves every bit as much as his British counterpart.
Coup d’Etat is scintillating, bursting with rhetoric and poetry, with history and philosophy.
It captivates us like an outstanding Geoffrey Robertson hypothetical. Exceptional and
excellent performances. Sofiah emerges as Fleming’s perfect metaphor. This is good,
strong and thoughtful theatre." Chris Boyd, Herald Sun.
"A fascinating piece of theatre from a prolific and prize-winning playwright, Justin
Fleming, in which all of our assumptions are smashed to pieces." Phil Kafcaloudes,
ABC Radio.
"This is a play that seethes with passion. Coup d’Etat resonates in today’s political
climate. It could not premiere at a more opportune moment. Fleming’s wide-ranging
scattergun approach not only pits Christianity against Islam, but also examines
feminism in a hijab-wearing world to subvert the stereotypical idea of the demure,
oppressed Muslim female. Coup d’Etat succeeds in exposing the hypocrisy of the West,
its audacity in deriding the policies and beliefs of smaller countries when its own dearly
loved concepts of freedom are debatable. Nobody wins in this blame game – which
alone makes Coup d’Etat worth seeing." Thuy On, The Australian.
"I enjoyed Coup d’Etat immensely. I came away feeling I’d seen something on a level
with the Greek classics, with serious themes and an extremely thoughtful elucidation of
those themes." Jan Aldrich, Email.
"Justin Fleming has confronted an enormously complex set of issues in Coup d’Etat. His
field of vision takes in nothing less than a comparison of the ethical systems of East and
West. A timely addition to the debate about cultural difference and the rapidly polarising
positions of East and West, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. An array of instruments
provide an effective background." Bill Perret, The Age on Sunday.
"A timely drama that examines the collision of religion and politics and the role of Islam
in a modern democracy. Recommended viewing." The Australian Financial Review.
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