It's My Party (and I'll Die If I Want To), NSW

Ron Patterson believes he has 111 minutes to live, so he decides to invite the kids around for party pies, pavlova and a strict schedule of events. As he attempts to tie up the loose ends of his life, all the juicy neuroses of this very dysfunctional family come out of the closet, and his well planned final party completely unravels.

This comedy is inky black in its subject matter of imminent death, made hilarious by its absurdities and frustrations surrounding Ron and his wife, Dawn's unrealistic yet steadfast belief that life is neat, tidy and measurable.

Playwright Elizabeth Coleman's Aussie humour is a breath of fresh air to which we can all relate. She doesn't stand on ceremony when the sparks fly, and they do fly, as Ron's eternal bigotry is exposed.

Comic writers have understood for eons that putting ordinary people into situations that they are ill-equipped to deal with is grounds for hilarity, especially when you add a touch of arrogance to the mix. Ron fits this description to a tee.