Norm and Ahmed

A middle aged war veteran, Norm, has an encounter with a Pakistani student Ahmed, at a bus stop one night.

The play script originally ended with the line "fucking' boong". This was changed to "bloody boong" for its debut production at the Old Tote, which was directed by Jim Sharman.

In April 1969 the play was performed at the Twelfth Night Theatre in Brisbane, using the writer's original line. After one performance, two policemen arrested Norman Staines, the actor who said the line, on a charge of using obscene language in public. Staines was set free on bail and continued to use the line. After a series of trials which went all the way to the High Court, the conviction was quashed.Leslie Rees, Australian Drama in the 1970s, Angus & Robertson, 1978 p 256-257

At a performance of the play at La Mama Theatre in Melbourne in 1969 the actor playing Norm was summoned and ordered to appear in court. The actor, and director Graeme Blundell, were later fined.[http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/102776 Details of La Mama production] at AusStage

The play was adapted as a short feature in 1988 with Max Cullen as Norm and Alex Pinder as Ahmed.[http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/find-a-film/detail.aspx?tid=1806 Norm and Ahmed] at Screen Australia

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/work/117 Norm and Ahmed] at AusStage
• [http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/creativearts/assets/drama/pdf/norm_ahmed.pdf Teachers notes on the play]
• [http://www.alexbuzo.com.au/resources/resources.html Norm and Ahmed] at Alex Buzo
• [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/legacy/programs/playingthe20thcentury/stories/2011/3087125.htm "Playing the 20th century – episode five: Norm and Ahmed"], Radio National 16 January 2011

Category:1968 plays

Category:Australian plays adapted into films

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