Play-Readings
One of the highlights of the Bali Conference is the Play-Reading presented by “the Bali Players” under the direction of the indefatigable Rex Wild QC, who carries out the multiple roles of producer, director, narrator, script editor, dramaturg, stage manager, props master, dresser, prompt, best boy… and legal advisor.
For the most part, the script is taken from transcript of famous cases, be they from the Territory (Tuckiar, Chamberlain) or beyond (Bentley, Ned Kelly, Marie Antoinette), edited to illustrate points of principle, and, on several occasions, notorious miscarriages of justice.
The cast is drawn from the ranks of conference delegates. Curiously, none of the performers has ever been criticised for under-playing their part.
2024: The Trial of Anne Boleyn
Introduction | Trial of Anne Boleyn Script
2022: The Trial of Andrew Mallard [NOT]
Perth, Western Australia, May 1994 – October 2008
2019: The Mistrial of Marie Antoinette – Paris, 1793
Rex Wild and Peggy Dwyer
Music composed and arranged by Martin Fisher
2017: [Un]Certain [Verbal] Admissions: The trials of John Bryan Kerr Supreme Court Victoria April – September 1950
Music composed and arranged by Martin Fisher
2015: The Shearer’s Tale: Murder and Injustice in the Australian bush – The trial of Frederick Lincoln McDermott
2013: The Murder in Gun Alley – The Wrongful Conviction of Colin Ross
2011: Extremes in Justice – The Territory inquisitions into the death of Azaria Chantelle Loren Chamberlain (and the presumption of innocence)
2009: Serving it up in court – volleys, lobs & smashes
2007: The Dock Brief
2005: The Rupert Maxwell Stuart case: a shining moment in Australian Legal history (R v Stuart) – South Australia, April 1959
2003: A Matter of profound regret – William Bentley’s birthright to a fair trial (R v Derek William Bentley & Christopher Craig)
2001: Eureka Trials: The resilience of the jury system: Serving the community
1999: Tuckiar: a fair trial: Interpreters and the right to a defence and the right to understand
1997: Ned Kelly: The benefit of Counsel
1995: The Popish Plots: Golden threads, golden silences and silver tongues: The right to a fair trial