Shimada (play)

Shimada is a 1987 Australian play by Jill Shearer.^[1] Melbourne Theatre Company debuted the play at the Russell Street Theatre in 1987.^[2]

Shimada
Written by	Jill Shearer
Directed by	Simon Phillips
Date premiered	April 22, 1987 (1987-04-22)
Place premiered	Russell St Theatre, Melbourne
Original language	English
Subject	relations with Japan
Genre	drama

It was a rare Australian play to be performed on Broadway, featuring a cast that included Ben Gazzara. The 1992 Broadway production ran for four performances at the Broadhurst Theatre.

The play was given a reading in Melbourne in 1986 and made its professional debut the following year.

The play was picked up for production on Broadway in 1992 and given a strong cast including Ben Gazzara, Ellen Burstyn, Mako and Estelle Parsons, and a budget of $1.5 million. Despite successful previews, reviews were hostile and the show closed after four performances.^[3]

Premise

"When a Japanese businessman appears unexpectedly at a family-owned Queensland bicycle factory, the promise of a take-over sharply divides the company. At the centre is Clive-accountant, family friend and former prisoner of war. As the sale progresses and the workers take strike action, Clive, increasingly angry and isolated, begins to recognise in his adversary his tormentor, the cruel officer Shimada. Shimada is a play about cultural conflict, between the old world of military dominance and the new world of economic pragmatism."^[4]