Birdies
"In any situation, a change of perspective can often make a birdie smile."
Synopsis
When social worker Mackenzie is assigned to North Shores Remand Centre, she is forced to deal with corruption, greed and violence. And that’s before she meets any of the prisoners. Her new boss Smiley is vindictive and power hungry and will stop at nothing to ensure his ‘birdies’ remain caged. As she spends more time with Jen, Shaz and the women in the unit, Mackenzie comes to realise that compassion is more powerful than cruelty and that often a change of perspective is the one thing that can set us free.
Setting
Birdies is set in the North Shores Remand Centre in 2019. Here, women are held while they await conviction and sentencing. They could be held here for a number of days, weeks and sometimes months, and will most likely go on to serve sentences in the nearby women’s prison.
Characters
Nine characters (8F, 1M). Note: This play accommodates flexible and inclusive casting.
Running time
60-75 minutes.
The staff:
Smiley, 36. The ruthless head of the North Shores Remand Centre.
Mackenzie, 24. A social worker who offers compassion and support to the women.
The prisoners:
Jen, 33. Protective and matriarchal, Jen longs to be reunited with her daughter.
Shaz, 28. Hardened and mouthy, Shaz is an intimidating figure at North Shores.
Tinny, 20. Tinny is Shaz’s sidekick and dreams of a life of freedom on the ocean.
Larry, 25. Book-smart, Larry inspires a more hopeful perspective in the women.
Fog, 21. Fog is gullible and often the butt of jokes. She loves magic tricks.
Kate, 19. Kate is new to North Shores and in the grips of a recent family trauma.
Alice, 21. Larry’s cousin. Young and hot-headed, Alice is still finding herself.
Each play in this collection also contains a Playwright’s Note and a set of Discussion Questions. Incorporated specifically to support educators and theatre makers, these additions aim to encourage reflection, analysis, creative exploration, and critical thinking around dramaturgy and theatricality. For any queries or questions, please contact Brady here.
Production photos from the original staging of Birdies, one of the five plays included in Australian One-Act Plays for Young Adults. Photos courtesy of Cardijn College.