The Makings of a Man

‘Gran Munday is like a conglomerate of women I grew up around, from a generation that was fast being forgotten. They were the last generation to live a totally traditional lifestyle and culture. As they were the natural and cultural matriarchs, they felt a strong sense of helplessness as they witnessed the power they held within their families being whittled away by a succession of government policies.’


In The Makings of a Man, John Harding presents a contemporary response to a treasured Australian play – a personal and intriguing take on No Sugar by Jack Davis. 



The Makings of a Man is part of Cue the Chorus, a series of ten thought-provoking responses to classic Australian stories. The other titles in the series are:


1. An Ever-Changing Idiom by Alana Valentine – a response to Summer of the Seventeenth Doll by Ray Lawler


3. Playing Awkward by Noëlle Janacewska – a response to The Chapel Perilous by Dorothy Hewett


4. Pulling Rabbits Out of Hats by Melissa Reeves – a response to Speaking in Tongues by Andrew Bovell


5. Radiant Women on Radiant Country by Andrea James – a response to Radiance by Louis Nowra


6. Robin Shall Restore Amends by Hilary Bell – a response to Away by Michael Gow


7. Still Waters by Wesley Enoch – a response to The Secret River by Kate Grenville; an adaptation for the stage by Andrew Bovell


8. The Unexpected Feminist by Van Badham – a response to The Removalists by David Williamson


9. What Goes Around Comes Around by Kate Mulvany – a response to Hotel Sorrento by Hannie Rayson


9. A Youth Presumed by Finegan Kruckemeyer – a response to Blackrock by Nick Enright