OBSERVER: Jimmy’s Run
Melbourne author Joseph Connellan’s novel Jimmy’s Run has been adapted into a radio play of the same name and brought to life by actors from the Complete Works Theatre Company.
The radio play is now available on all podcasting apps by searching ‘Jimmy’s Run’.
Jimmy’s Run tells of the trials and tribulations of Sonya Bird, a city lawyer, and her journey into Australian bush politics.
Sonya arrives into the world of country politics, country business, country football, and long straight roads, to oversee an inquiry into Local Government corruption.
As is often the case, everything is not as it seemed.This world has many traps for uninitiated city visitors, particularly those seeking to bring order like Sonya Bird.
The local strongman, Jimmy O’Brien, is a wirily old campaigner who is not ready to toss it all in for a city woman.
Into this mix appears Justin Murphy, global governance policy expert, and Wills Reach, refugee, forced to return to the land of his origin and colourful extended family. That family includes one Jimmy O’Brien.
“Every town has or should have a Jimmy O’Brien,” says author and producer Joseph Connellan.
The radio play podcast is performed by Andrew Blackman, Annabelle Tudor, Karlis Zaid and Jackson McGovern under the direction of Andrew Blackman from Complete Works Theatre Company. Sound recording and editing is by David Ross.
“Radio plays were part of my growing up in the bush,” says Joseph. ‘Blue Hills’ was on the radio every lunchtime. I wanted to capture that rich experience in telling this story, which is loved by so many.”
The radio play Jimmy’s Run is available from favourite podcast apps for updates including Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Podcast Addict or Podchaser. The book Jimmy’s Run is available from Amazon.
Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: Joseph Connellan, author of Jimmy’s Run.