2.2

Until the twentieth century, Australian theatre presented stereotypes such as the strong, heroic, manly famers, and tanned, blonde, beautiful beach-lovers. Throughout the nineteeth century, playwrights moved from Melodrama to Realism, and addressed more serious issues, such as The Depression. Since the 1960s, Australian theatre practitioners. Contemporary Australian playwrights such as Cameron, Enoch and Mailman seek to breakdown stereotypes, and present new and innovative ideas on stage. //Ruby Moon// and //Seven Stages// use a range of theatrical styles and techniques such as colour, symbolism and Absurdism to engage audiences and