Jack Charles V The Crown

“There is something special about Uncle Jack. Something about his voice, his stature, his laugh, his story – something powerful but humbling. It was that something that ricocheted people to their feet to give the man a standing ovation. It is most certainly, something that you won’t want to miss.” - Australian Stage

Uncle Jack Charles is an Australian legend: veteran actor, musician, Koori elder and activist, but for a good portion of his nearly 70 years he has also been an addict, a thief and a regular in Victoria’s prisons.

From Stolen Generation to Koori theatre in the 70s, from film sets to Her Majesty’s prisons, JACK CHARLES V THE CROWN runs the gamut of a life lived to its utmost. Charles’ unswerving optimism transforms this tale of addiction, crime and doing time into a kind of vagabond’s progress – a map of the traps of dispossession and a guide to reaching the age of grey-haired wisdom.

This fleet-footed, light-fingered one-man show is a theatrical delight and a celebration of Black Australia’s dogged refusal to give up on getting on.

Reviews

“Steeped in decades of our history (social, political, theatrical), surprisingly upbeat… a warm-hearted, very entertaining evening” - Sydney Morning Herald

“A well-crafted piece of theatrical cabaret. This show literally embodies a significant slice of theatrical and social history. An open-hearted crowd-pleaser” - Alison Croggon, Theatre Notes

“…a very personal, unique and powerful piece of theatre” - KangRooviews, 2014

“Come for the music alone, and you'll leave feeling that you've gotten your money's worth… With such talent accompanying the show, it is perhaps unsurprising that Jack Charles and co-author John Romeril's creativity has fruited so sweetly in Charles's remarkable performance” - John P Harvey, Stage Whispers, 2013

“There is something special about Uncle Jack. Something about his voice, his stature, his laugh, his story something powerful but humbling. It was that something that ricocheted people to their feet to give the man a standing ovation. It is most certainly, something that you won't want to miss” - Dione Joseph, Australian Stage, 2010

“Jack Charles V the Crown is a tribute to an indigenous star, and an inspiring journey of resilience and reconnection” - Cameron Woodhead, The Age, 2010

Production History

6 May 2018 Shizuoka Arts Theatre, Japan

Presented in Japan with generous support from Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade as part of the Australia Now program.

15-18 March 2018 Q Rangatira, Auckland Arts Festival

22-24 March 2017 New York Live Arts

29 March - 8 April 2017 Canadian Stage, Berkely Street Theatre (Toronto)

15-20 November 2016 Arts Centre Melbourne

12-30 January 2016 Canadian Tour

National Arts Centre, Ottawa

PuSh Festival, Vancouver

High Performance Rodeo, Calgary

8-12 October 2014 Samuel Beckett Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival

11-15 February 2014 The Barbican, London

16-18 August 2013 The Amphitheatre, George’s Green, Darwin Festival

17-19 July 2013 Canberra Theatre, Centenary of Canberra

2013 NATIONAL TOUR: 1 May - 18 August 2013

Frankston Arts Centre

Whitehorse Arts Centre (Nunawading)

Esso BHP Biliton

Wellington Entertainment Centre (Sale)

West Gippsland Centre (Warragul)

Clocktower Centre (Moonee Ponds)

The Drum Theatre (Dandenong)

Altona Theatre

The Butter Factory Theatre (Wodonga)

Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (Wollongong)

Glen Street Theatre (Belrose)

Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre

Orange Civic Theatre

Cessnock Community Performing Arts Centre

Glasshouse Arts, Conference & Entertainment Centre (Port Macquarie)

Nambour Civic Centre

Griffith Regional Centre

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre

Plenty Ranges Art Centre (South Morang)

Chaffey Theatre (Renmark)

Hopgood Theatre (Noarlunga)

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre (Mt Gambier)

Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre

Mandurah Performing Arts Centre

Queens Park Theatre (Geraldton)

Matt Dan Cultural Centre (Port Hedland)

23 June 2012 The Space Theatre, Adelaide Cabaret Festival

15-23 February 2012 Albany Entertainment Centre, Perth Festival

7-10 September 2011 Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Festival

30 March - 17 April 2011 Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir Street Theatre

12-17 October 2010 Arts Centre, Melbourne International Arts Festival