The Department (play)
The Department is a 1974 play by David Williamson about political intrigue at a university department. It was based on Williamson's time as a lecturer at Swinburne Tech. Williamson wrote it for the South Australian Theatre Company. It premiered in 1974 at the opening of a new playhouse, then transferred to Melbourne and Sydney. TV Adaptation. The play was adapted into a TV movie in 1980 which was produced by Noel Ferrier as part of the Australian Theatre Festival. Reception. The "Canberra Times" called it "a poorly constructed exercise". "The Age" called it "a success... some  remarkable goods." Another reviewer from that paper called it "an excellent production". The "Sydney Morning Herald" critic said "it's a long time since I've seen a better sustained performance in a locally produced TV play." Jack Hibberd, who play "A Toast of Melba" was also filmed as part of the Festival, called it 'dreary, mundane. Awesomely so. I'm not impressed by that 'slice of life' realism style. It's just theatrical journalism."