7 Stages of Grieving

Today, most White Australians are sensitive and distinctively aware of the social and cultural issues related to Aborigines. This must be credited to playwrights such as Jack Davis and Wesley Enoch&Deborah Mailman as they reveal the brutal discrimination, abuse to Australia's Indigenous people and their sacred culture through their pieces No Sugar and 7 Stages of Grieving. Both plays utilise the theatrical techniques of Western theatre in conjunction with their tradition way of story telling to convey themes of struggle, prejudice and the destruction of Aboriginal culture. First wave playwright, Jack Davis writes the lives of the Millimurra family in their struggle to survive the Depression early in the 20th century No Sugar, while 7 Stages of Grieving focuses on the lives of the modern generation of Australian Aboriginal. This time gap will reflect the changing cultural, social and political issues in Australia.

No Sugar was written in a period when the majority of Australians were completely unaware of their situation and became influential along with other texts such as My Place by Sally Moran, which also discloses the reality of Aboriginal people. No Sugar is the second play in a trilogy called " The First Born", which traces the history of the Aborigines in Western Australia from the first White settlement, or in their perspective, invasion, in 1928 to the lives of urban Aboriginals today. The first play Kulluck (Home) shows the destruction of the Nyoongah people as a community and the social and economic oppression they suffered with the arrival of Europeans. Davis wrote this play in 1979 as an angry response to the celebration of Western Australia's 150th anniversary of White 'settlement'. No Sugar was written just two years before the national celebration of the Bicentenary and depicts the lives of post-tribal or pre-urbanised Aborigines people who were caught between assimilation and segregation. In the last play The Dreamers illustrates Aboriginal people today, their nostalgic longing for what is lost as well as their acceptance that it will not return. Being the middle of a trilogy, the characters in No Sugar are also caught in the middle of the process of transformation. The resultant of this process is assimilating into the white society; however, it is merely a replacement term for a second-class citizenship. In the 1970's and 80's, Jack Davis' plays facilitated the raising Black consciousness among the White Australians.

No Sugar is a realist play based on real people. Jack Davis used the technique of the documentary theatre of Agitprop which uses real historic events to recount history. This is done dramatically in speeches and newspaper articles and the narrative of characters who remembers the past. To a White audience this may seem to be too political but for a Black audience, this element is vital in the essence that the truth is finally being told in their point of view. This play is also written in an episodic form, a technique adopted from western Brecht theatre and contains a continuous storyline with coherent connections between each episode. This allows Davis to present his ideas with a series of unresolved conflicts and problems, which when put together, gives us a whole picture of suffering in Aborigines life in this period.

The episodic structure is enhanced by the use of juxtaposition and contradiction on stage between scenes and within scenes. For example, the dual action in Perth and Northam in Act I scene ii where Neville the administrator dictates his letter to the minister regarding reducing rations is counterpoised by the effects this has on Gran and Milly when they arrive at the police station to pick up their ration but only to find that soap has been removed. The sergeant's ironic suggestion that "they could buy one [soap]" when he should clearly acknowledge the fact that Aboriginals were not allowed to be payed in money at the time portrays the Aborigine's struggle to survive under the social and economic restriction placed upon them. Further irony is also evident in the extract of a newspaper article from the opening scene. " The pageant presented a picture of Western Australia's present condition of hopeful optimistic prosperity, and gave some ideas if what men mean when they talk about the soul of the nation." This contrasts to the Millimurra's appalling living conditions established also in the first scene. Having not enough clothes for David to wear a clean shirt everyday and the allowed expenditure of two pence to buy an apple for lunch confirms the falseness in the government's pompous reports. In scene ii, the entrance of a white, unemployed Frank Brown shows another victim of the "optimistic prosperity" of the state.

The uses of physical forces and abuse against the Aborigines is dramatically symbolised by Neal's beating of Mary. Lights blacks out just as we are told by the stage directions that " Neal raises the cat-o'-nine-tails". " A scream" follows and confirms our predictions of a heavy beating. This use of lighting suggests that physical abuses had been hidden away from most people at the time.

The central symbol and also from which the title of this play derives from, is sugar. Sugar is sweet and usually brings joy. Thus the title NO Sugar suggests that Aborigines experiences no joy. Sugar can also be interpreted deathly in its seductiveness. This has Christian connotations where sugar, ironically named 'humbugs' is sent to seduce children into attending Sunday school.

Jack Davis tends to use stereotyped characters to represent social or human traits. Each White Australian character represents one aspect of the white society that caused the destruction of Aboriginal tribal life. Augustus Neville symbolises the government "protector of Fisheries, Forestry, Wildlife and Aborigines." From his speech to the Historic Society, it can be seen that he is a man full of grand theories but who stands revealed as the sterile representative of the naked and blind power in the last Act as he threatens (unaware of the hideous irony) " no more privileges." Matron represents a 'softer' face of White power. The scientific superiority is one of the 'supposedly' benefits brought the native Australians. Being a medical professional, Matron does care about those she is in charge with but cannot accept that the uncivility of Aboriginal culture can look after themselves. Billy the black tracker is one of the characters in the novel who have assimilated into the White society. To a traditional Aborigine, he is a betrayer of his own cultural heritage. Joel dismissed his existence by describing him as "nothing". However as he recalls the destruction of his cultural tribe in Act II scene vi, the audience can see that he still understands the unforgivable things the White people has caused to him. " Big mob politjman, and big mob from stations, and shoot 'em everybody, mens, kooris (women), little yumbah (children)." This reinforces the spiritual connection Aboriginal people had with each other during times of adversity.

The names of significant black characters holds religious connotation and serves the purpose of catching the audience's attentions. Mary (the blessed virgin) is associated with a convicted black criminal Joseph and is an illegitimately pregnant unmarried mother. When the white audience see this on stage which does not fit in the conventional connotations, they are forced to question the political and social issues associated.

The use of songs as an Aboriginal traditional way of communication is incorporated into this play. The first song ' shout of praise' reveals Aborigines' appreciation for the natural beauty and sustenance provided by the land. The second song is a hymn turned into a song of protest. The third is sang by Gran and is a lament and cry for compassion. These songs move its audience from anger to understanding and finally, hope.

Setting and properties echoes the difference of power between White Australians and the natives. In Act IV scene v, the opening stage directions report that the dominating Whites are seated on a raised "dais" above the blacks. Furthermore, Billy and Bluey are dress in "absurdly ill-fitted uniforms".

At the end of the novel, though the Millimurra family celebrates the birth of Mary and Joseph's baby, it does not bring a resolution to all the conflicts. The unresolved ending invites the audience and readers to thin about the problems raised.

Lighting is important in this play in indicating to the audience a shift of shadow. This is particularly being carefully planned in sections such as Act I scene ii where the lighting needs to shift from Frank and the Sergeant to the entrance of Miss Dunn. Suitable lighting is also vital to ensure an appropriate mood. Because the play is episodically structured, flexible and simple staging is recommended to ensure fast transition between scenes.

7 Stages of Grieving is similar to No Sugar in the sense that it shares the purpose and the use of theatrical devices as a medium to propagate their ideas. It is written by second wave Aboriginal playwrights Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman who considerably experienced less unfortunate incidence and prejudice than Jack Davis. However, following the death of his grandmother in the early 1990's, Enoch experienced the whole sense of grief and the sense of spiritual connection the gathering of the community. This triggered Enoch's idea of creating a script investigating the theme of grief. In 1995, 7 Stages of Grieving became a national premiere and it wasn't long before embarking on an international journey.

This play is written in a non-realist style, exploring the grieving process in Aboriginal history as well as criticisms of recent social, economic and political issues. There are twenty-four short scenes, combined to form a collage. The solo actor who is recognised as " the women" performs a series of monologues disclosing the history of the Australian Indigenous people from " genocide to " reconciliation". The use of projections and alienation hints a strong Brechtian influence.

In scene two Sobbing¸ the words associative of grief and loss projected on the walls is reinforced by the crescending cries of the women. The crying reaches its peak when the word "desolate" is projected on, followed by " nothing... I feel Nothing." At this stage, the cry "subsides". This sort of simultaneous use of visual and aural devices appears throughout the play and is one of the key achievers in this masterpiece. The last projection not only demonstrated a change of attitudes since White invasion, dramatises the magnitude of the grieving that it reached to the extend of loss of emotions.

The burning of eucalyptus leaves and singing "a song for the spirits" in scene three Purification reminisces Aborigine's cultural heritage and their close connection with land and spirits. In Scene four Story of Father, references to people such as Pauline Hanson provide the evidence for the continuous updating process of this play.

Scene eight Family Gallery is inextricably linked to scene 5 Photograph by the running motif, the "suitcase". In the earlier scene, the women struggles to cope with the death of a family member and decides to heal by pushing their memories of them "into the shadow", or symbolically locking the photos away in the suitcase. In scene eight, the audience would recognise that the projection of the photos are those taken out of the suitcase. This suggests that the only way to heal the wound is to face the things that caused the wound and also serves as an advice for many those who "push [their past] into the shadow" and turn to alcohol, etc. In scene 13 Aunt Grace, the "suitcase" reappears again symbolic of the hidden Aboriginal history. Though Aunt Grace married a white European, she returns home carrying the suitcase and "throws the content all over" Nana's grave. This emphasis again the close spiritual bond between all Aboriginal people no matter where they went and settled in.


Black Skin Girl of scene 9 reminds the audience Aboriginal children's assimilation was not out of their own will. This is supported by her desperate "attempts to evade the [alphabet] letters" on her dress which represented white civilisation and forces and the Aboriginal song " Bului guli mie [black skin girl] Naia gigi Warunguldud [I will be strong always]."

Scene 12 Murri gets a dress is "delivered in the style of stand up comedy", which is another western theatrical technique. This monologue satirises the discrimination of Blacks even when entering a shop. They will receive a "special treatment" in the form of stares and whispers, " keep an eye on the black one."

In scene 15, the opening stage directions " the women stands strong" immediately establish her strength. The repetition of "grief" and "grieving" creates a link to the title of this play, suggesting that just because they are "grieving" does not mean "we're not fighting".

The following scene Bargaining is a single sentence criticises the White's abuse of their sacred land. " What is it worth?" the women asks after hammering a "for sale" post into the grave. For the native Australians, land was priceless but the white settlers abuse it for money and materialism.

The truth about the Stolen Generation is revealed in scene 17 Home Stay using piles of red earth sand as analogies for an Aboriginal tribe. " You always have to marry your own skin." Out of the eight piles of sand formed, they are either "your brother", "your cousin", "your grandparents" and so forth. Thus even when one child was forcibly taken away from this tribe, the social effects is detrimental as shown by the women's destruction of the sand piles.

Scene 21 and 22 brings elements of sarcasm and bitterness in though " Wreck-Con-Silly-Nation", which is further reinforced by projection usage. The packing of " the word Reconciliation" and "locks it inside the suitcase is a gesture of the worthlessness of this word to them because "what's the use in having a word if we don't think and talk about it?" This scene ends with "the women places the suitcase down at the feet of the audience", pleading the audience to take serious thought to this word and the actions involved with it.

The last scene Walking across Bridge depicts Aborigine's mixed emotions to this real event. The numerous "pauses" suggests their dazed responses to the huge " sorry across the sky." However, a hint of bitterness is detected by the last sentence " I guess we can't go back now," which suggests that the Aborigines would rather prefer to live their tradition way of life.
It can be seen this No Sugar and 7 Stages of Grieving explores the lives of Aborigine's during different times. Their portrayal of different themes through different theatrical styles reflects a changed and will be continuously changing artistic, cultural, social and political issues and interests in the 1980's, 90's and 2000. Ultimately, their shared purpose of telling real stories about Aboriginal life have succeeded in giving their group of people a significant voice history that will remain forever clear in the sympathetic hearts of most white Australians