AUSTRALIA'S two favourite bards, Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson, are back from the grave and headed to Victoria to perform in Dead Men Talking.
The two-man, one-act stage musical scripted and performed by Max Cullen and Warren Fahey, was first performed in 2014 and has been filling seats ever since.
The lively show, which kicks off in the small town of Fish Creek in South Gippsland, finds the two legendary literary figures having a casual drink at the Leviticus Bar & Grill, Heaven's Gate, and yarning about their legacies.
Slightly cantankerous, yet grateful of their old friendship, Henry (Max) and Banjo (Warren) discuss each other's lives, including their famous "War of Words"' in The Bulletin.
They recite poems, sing songs and yarn about past glories and literary legacies - and have a laugh about life's changing fortunes.
"Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson left extraordinary legacies to Australia and they should never be forgotten," Warren said.
"As the world increasingly succumbs to the never-ending and somewhat inevitable pressure of 'one world culture' it is vital that small nations like Australia fight back to show their uniqueness.
"Our national identity was born in the bush and is one of feistiness and determination where pioneers battled with bushfires, floods, droughts, insect plagues and, quite often, authority and the banks.
"They also fought loneliness and despair but somehow or other came out the other side to build this great nation."
Dead Men Talking tour dates
- Fish Creek Community Hall, October 27 ,2pm
- Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, October 28, 2pm & 6pm, (03) 5671-2470,
- Cube 37 Theatre @ Frankston Arts Centre, October 29, 2pm & 6.30pm, (03) 9784-1060,
- Geelong Trades Hall, October 31, 7.30pm
- Ballarat Trades Hall, November 1, 7.30pm and November 2, 2pm
- Bendigo Trades Hall, November 2, 8pm
- Rushworth Shire Hall, November 3, 2pm
Read more: Meet the Lawson we never knew...
