Codgers

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Codgers is a 2006 stage play by Don Reid that was later turned into a 2011 comedy film of the same name by Wayne Harrison. Reid created a companion play for Codgers entitled Biddies, released in 2012.

Contents

The play

Codgers was developed as a play by Don Reid. [1] [2]

It toured regional New South Wales in 2008 and nationally in 2010. [1]

Plot

The story follows five elderly men that meet weekly at their local gym to talk and spend time together. When a newcomer threatens their friendships, the group must overcome the temporary setbacks and find a way to overcome these new issues.

Reception

Performances of the play were positively received. [3] [4] The Sydney Morning Herald review said that it was a "pleasant, simple and heart-warming comedy about ageing and its possible wisdoms". [5]

Awards

Reid won the 2006 Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award of Codgers. [1]

Film adaptation

The play was adapted into a feature film directed by Wayne Harrison and starring Ronald Falk, Ron Haddrick, and Edwin Hodgeman. [6]

The film premiered at the Parramatta Riverside Theatre on 24 June 2011 and was released to video on demand through Titan View in 2013.[ citation needed ]

Biddies

In 2012 Reid released Biddies as a companion piece to Codgers. [7] [8] The play featured a similar plot device as its predecessor, centering on five older women and former schoolmates that are gathering together to sew a project for their former school. The play starred Maggie Blinco, Annie Byron, Vivienne Garrett, Julie Hudspeth, Donna Lee, and Linden Wilkinson, [9] and received mixed reviews. [10]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Lack of funds leaves Codgers in the cold". Brisbane Times. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  2. Mitchell, Natasha (24 July 2008). "Life Matters: Codger s". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  3. Sharon Verghis (10 April 2010). "Still here: maturity, wit, wisdom coming to a stage near you". The Australian. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013.
  4. "Codgers, Steady Lads". Australian Stage. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  5. "Review: Codgers". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 August 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  6. "Codgers to hit the big screen" . Stawell Times. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  7. "Biddies - Annie Byron". Focus Magazine. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  8. Blake, Jason (17 April 2012). "Sewing circle moral lacks a light thread". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  9. "Old biddies get the laughs". Northern Star. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  10. Cecily Ryan (17 April 2012). "Old gals get noticed in Don Reid's new play Biddies". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013.