“THE Hansard Monologues” should do for the 43rd Parliament of Australia what “The Vagina Monologues” did for the female body—present it in a new light.

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is presenting the Canberra premiere of a new ‘verbatim theatre’ work written by playwright Katie Pollock and author/journalist Paul Daley.

The brainchild of former “Canberra Times” and “Sydney Morning Herald” editor,  Peter Fray,  the show is packed with references to asylum seekers, Afghanistan, scandals, same-sex marriage and of course the seeming antithesis of drama, the carbon tax.

Three professional actors, David Roberts, Camilla Ah Kin and Tony Llewellyn-Jones will re-create the great, the emotional and the inglorious moments from the 43rd Parliament of Australia, in the historic House of Representatives Chamber.

Llewellyn-Jones said on a brief visit to the location recently that the roles were fairly divided among the actors, though he had the  lion’s share of the “Tony Abbott character”.

“The Hansard Monologues goes well beyond the short attention span of the 24-hour news cycle to bring you the best of what our politicians say in Parliament,” says Paul Daley.

Tim Jones, Artistic Director of the Seymour Centre emphasises the “passion, intellect and the fervent use of language in the pursuit of ideals”, suggesting that these are words the public don’t get to hear, “and are, in fact, the truth of the issues that have marked our nation under our first female Prime Minister.”

Daryl Karp, director of MOAD says the performances are just one part of an “exciting election program” that will also include exhibitions and events and an election polling booth.

“The Hansard Monologues”, 7pm, Thursday and Friday,  August 8-9, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Bookings to canberraticketing.com.au  or 6275 2700.