Ray Lawler's, "Summer of the 17th doll" captures the aura of a rapidly changing 1950s, focusing on the failures of a dilapidated Melbourne household, whilst illustrating the changing characters of the Australian nation. Built around the traditions of a "lay off" period Lawler's famous play, in its language, costume, and setting is exotically Australian and explores the failures of Australia's characters to grow up and recognize there is a future, beyond high times and "livin'" Lawler's play, directed by Rod Kinnear, in 1977, although staying fairly true to the original script fails to capture the aura and importance of the "layoff", whilst also alters audience perceptions of Lawler's characters. True to the play, Sumner shatters Olive's vision of the "layoff," however such a dramatic event fails in its intended effect upon the audience.
             Lawler's stage directions are quick to establish the importance of the "layoff" even before a word is spoken. With "little pattern or taste" evident in the furniture, the souvenirs and kewpie dolls are the "main decorative features." These, by themselves, represent the long-standing tradition between the characters, Olive, Roo, and Barney. Similarly, through the likes of Bubba, Lawler is quick to establish a feeling of excitement throughout his play. Bubba is a youthful figure who enjoys and anticipates the tradition of the layoff and thus in her manner, she continues to create audience anticipation for the arrival of Roo and Barney and thus the beginning of the extensive tradition. Bubba's walking sticks, yet another symbol of the "lay off" do not "impress" Pearl, however, the audience is still able to sense the excitement and aura such a tradition brings to the small Melbournian household. Although Lawler carefully constructs the aura of the layoff period, Kinnear is less meticulous in the creation of such a tradition. Lawler's direction of a small, clustered and the tasteless room becomes lost wit...