ARCHIMEDES WAR

I wasn't upset. I just don't get why we have to be reading about this weak arsehole killer, and his murdering old bag of a wife. It pisses me off that people have such a problem with combat games on xbox and ps4's and meanwhile Shakespeare gets off on writing serial killer porn.

Eva Seymour and Jordan Fraser-Trumble in Archimedes War at the Darebin Speakeasy. Photo - Pia Johnson

Inspired by Australia’s involvement in the Afghanistan war, ARCHIMEDES WAR is a blackly comic play that examines the cultural centrality of games and films about war, and questions our paradoxical lack of awareness and concern about the real wars our country is involved in. Fifteen-year-old Arki sees visions of the dead bodies of the players he kills in his games. His mother takes him to a psychiatrist who diagnoses PTSD. In her quest to help her son, we are introduced to a group of characters all struggling with the effects of war, including a recently returned soldier, and an Afghan brother and sister.

Jim Russell and Jordan Fraser Trumble in Archimedes War, Photo – Pia Johnson.

Cover Photo – Harry Musgrove, photo – Pia Johnson

PRODUCTIONS:

Northcote Speakeasy 2022

Directed by Susie Dee

VCA Second year production

AWARDS:

Shortlisted -

Victorian Premier’s Award

“A lucid, unsettling exploration of contemporary war.” Cameron Woodhead, The Age

The script of Archimedes War is published by Currency Press.