Greek Australian Women Playwrights of First and Second Generation: Complexities of Culture and Identity

Abstract

In this paper notions such as identity, migrant culture and conflicts of diversity will be explored and will be presented as described in plays of first and second generation Greek Australian women playwrights. Their plays are about Greek and Australian contemporary issues and their “in-between” experiences. Women playwrights as torch-bearers, challenge authority, patriarchal power, discrimination and exploitation. They introduce characters, relationships, and situations as they understand and interpret them. Furthermore they utter their truth in their own “voice”. Similarities and differences between playwrights of two generations will arise and conflicts will be revealed. The traditional and contemporary lifestyles will be exposed. The eternal dialogue between mother and daughter will be distinguished.