CONTEXT OF 'RUBY MOON'

Ruby Moon was first produced and performed by The Playbox and Neonheart Theatres, Melbourne in 2003. The play explores, and critically examines, many of the issues that concerned Australian society at the time. Chief amongst these were the themes of; Australian obsession with identity, suburban parnoia and the fear of child abduction.

Australian society has, since its founding, struggled to construct a unique national identity separate from that of the British. The media is often saturated with heated and passionate arguments for and against; becoming a Republic, changing the flag, the National Anthem or playing God Save the Queen at Commonwealth Games. It seems as though Australian society cannot come to a consensus and solve the current identity crisis, it appears that Australia needs to become finally and irrevocably separated from England, yet at the same time cannot bare to part from English traditions and ideals.

Furthermore, Australian society, like all western societies, is plagued with issues of personal identity and body image. What does the typical Aussie look and sound like? What should the people of Australia aspire to? The typical image of Australia has changed over the years from the 'Bushman' to the 'Ocker'.

The issues of identity which concern contemporary Australian society are explored and analysed in 'Ruby Moon'. The play contains many different, and at times stereotypical, characters each of which represent specific identities in the play is problematised and scrutinised by the audience and the other characters. By putting a critical spotlight on a varying array of identities in this manner 'Ruby Moon', inspires its audience to question elements of their own identity.

The context of the play is clear; 'Ruby Moon' is written and performed for a society that is concerned about personal and national identities. Yet there are other issues dealt with in the play that help contextualise it in modern Australian society. One such issues is suburban paranoia. Australian society is one that has undergone several paradigm shifts. From a closed and segregated rural farming community to a multicultural, cosmopolitan society. For a majority of Australian's the suburban life is a dream realised, and with the housing booms occurring in the capital cities, more Australians are flocking to the suburbs where they can build a 'McMansion' and own a piece of the Australian dream.

Yet it be clearly seen through the rising and successful home security market that Australian do not feel entirely at ease in their new homes. Mistrust and conflict with neighbours are major issues affecting a large portion of Australian suburbanites. This suburban paranoia is also present in 'Ruby Moon' and can be clearly seen in Ray and Sylvie's relationship with the other characters and the idea that each has played a role in Ruby's disappearance; "Sylvie: I still don't trust the other..." (Epilogue). The issue of suburban paranoia is also part of the contemporary context into which the play was written and performed.

Perhaps the final contemporary Australian issue explored in 'Ruby Moon' is one of child abduction. Australia has had a long and macabre obsession with child abduction. This issue is one that is thoroughly covered in the media and one that remains in the back of Australia's collective mind. When forced to recollect the most heinous crimes in modern Australia, most Australians could easily recall the mysterious and controversial disappearances of Azaria Chamberlain and Jayden Lescki. These crimes are not easy to forget, and are unsettling and subtle undercurrent that pulls at Australia's subconscious. 'Ruby Moon', which it's subtle yet sinister atmosphere, taps into this fear of kidnapping that haunts contemporary Australian society.

The themes and issues explored in 'Ruby Moon' are relevant to contemporary Australian audiences. The issues explored contextualise the play for the contemporary Australian audience.