Production Archive

This classic of the Australian theatre was written and set in 1950s Australia, in a slightly down at heel Melbourne suburb where four women wait for the annual return from the sugar cane fields of two men, Roo and Barney, for the five month summer lay-off period. For 16 years previously the two men have returned to the two same women, bringing them presents (including the 'dolls' of the title) together with expectations of carefree, commitment free fun times. This year, however, things are different. For a start, one of the two women has left, has moved on into marriage with another, and her place has been taken by a new woman of quite different temperament and character. By turns sweet, sad, funny, irritating and moving, this play which marked the start of Australian theatre proper has retained its place in current theatre play-lists for the quality of its characters and the universality of its depicted experiences.