SCENE 1: THE CAUCUS
1955
A babel of voices is heard from offstage.
CABINET MINISTERS
Opera.
Why opera?
Opera.
Why opera?
Opera.
Why opera?
We need more roads.
Opera.
Why opera?
Opera.
Why opera?
Opera.
Why opera?
We need more high schools.
The Premier appears. He is pursued by his cabinet ministers.
Why don't you listen to us?
We don't need an opera house.
What a waste of public money!
The last thing we need's an opera house
When the public are crying out for sewered blocks
And bitumen!
PREMIER
All right!
You blokes have had your two bobs’ worth
But now...
CABINET MINISTERS
Listen
Listen to us
Listen
Listen to us
PREMIER
I don’t want a bloody barney over this
I’ve made up my mind.
CABINET MINISTER
To lump us with poison
At the polling booth!
CABINET MINISTERS
Listen,
Listen to us,
Can’t you see it?
Blind Fred and his dog could tell you
No one wants it!
Opera.
Why opera
When we’ve promised tax cuts?
Listen to us
You’re floggin a dead horse.
Opera,
Why opera
When the jails are jam packed?
Opera,
Why opera?
Why not housing estates?
It’s crazy!
Opera,
Why opera
when the kids need kindies?
Listen, listen to us.
PREMIER
While I'm in.....
Listen!
While I'm in power you'll listen to me.
CABINET MINISTERS
But, but, but, but,
We don't need an opera house
PREMIER
No more debate!
CABINET MINISTERS
We don't need an opera house
PREMIER
The matters closed.
CABINET MINISTERS
Listen.
Listen to us!
PREMIER
I've listened!
Now it's your turn.
What you're saying is true
You don't need an opera house, no,
But by god, you're gonna get one!
It's the chance of a lifetime to put this place on the map.
A great public building
The best site in the world
A great competition
To choose the design
World famous architects
Hungry for glory
Will answer the challenge
With something sublime
Somewhere
Someone with daring
Will answer the challenge
With a building of vision
CABINET MINISTERS
Opera, why opera?
It's a waste, Mr Premier.
Opera, why opera?
An ideal site for a car park!
More public money down the drain.
Why opera?
The people don't want it
Who needs a flamin' opera house?
Who'd pay to see some fat screeching sheila?
Opera!
Some eyesore they neither want nor need.
They don't want it
The people don't want it
Mr Premier, it's the last thing we need
Mr Premier
We don't want it,
We don't need it
And we certainly can't afford it.
You simply cannot justify such an extravagant drain upon the public purse...
PREMIER
My vision!
Your Opera House.