Find the links to the show’s Background Research Source Material here
UPCOMING SHOWS: MAY 2026
Friday 8th May at 7.00pm – Wollongong
Great Southern Nights presents Jan Wositzky & Penny Glass
Vue Room, Wollongong Golf Club, 151-161 Corrimal St, Wollongong NSW
Hosted by Illawarra Folk Club
Doors open 7.00pm. Show starts 7.30pm
Saturday 9th May at 7.00pm – Tathra
Headland Theatre @ Tathra Hotel
8-12 Bega St, Tathra NSW
Bistro opening hours – Dinner: 5:30pm to 8:00pm (bookings recommended)
We are very pleased to be performing at this brand new venue on the south coast of New South Wales.
Friday 22nd May at 7.00pm – Bendigo
The Old Church on the Hill
36 Russell St, Quarry Hill, Bendigo
Doors open 7.00pm. Show starts 7.30pm
PREVIOUS TOURS & PERFORMANCES 2024-2026
April 2026: National Folk Festival, Canberra
March 2026: Campbell’s Creek (Central Victoria)
September-October 2025: Brisbane • Sunshine Coast
May 2025: Raymond Island • Nowa Nowa • Canberra (Smith’s Alternative) • Sydney (Humph Hall) • Katoomba
March 2025: Melbourne (The Boite) • Cororooke (Red Rock Theatre) • Clunes • Queenscliff • Castlemaine Fringe Festival
August-September 2024: Sandon (Central Victoria) • Brisbane • Sunshine Coast
In these ‘perilous times’ of chaos and hopelessness, some long-established dangerous ideas still abound: such as ‘survival of the fittest’, that we ‘humans should dominate nature’, and that ‘men are superior to women’. Have we, the brilliant human race, blown it?
Dignified Anger: Stories for a Perilous Now, is the premiere collaboration of veteran performers Jan ‘Yarn’ Wositzky and Penny Glass – it is a poignant, passionate and uplifting affirmation of humanity, championing the stories and songs of people who, through the ages, have stood up to those who benefit from these all-to-present, exploitative ideas.
“OMG this is good stuff. Class act. Highly recommended. Go!” (Hamish Sewell, Palmwoods, Qld)
Taking its cue from the Latin American concept of La Digna Rabia – Dignified Anger, the show brings to life women who led Latin American indigenous communities to defy mines and dams on their country; the wisdom of the humble Australian bushman Bill Harney (1895-1962), who returned from WWI with a hatred of war; the 14th century tale that asks, ‘What do women desire most, above all else’ – the answer may surprise! – and the unacknowledged history of the Warlpiri-Anmatyerre man on Australia’s two-dollar coin.
“Beautifully structured, important storytelling for our times.” (Therese Collie, Brisbane)
These central stories are carried on original music and songs from folk legends such as Chilean Victor Jara, Bob Dylan and Australian Shane Howard, and are seamlessly linked with cryptic personal tales: recollections of growing up in Australian migrant families; of coming to terms with our indigenous-colonial history; and … a love story. Between them Jan and Penny play old time 5-string banjo, quenas, concert flute, bodhran, harmonica, bones and varied percussion.
“Enduring spirit – shine on brightly. It does us a power of good.” (Alan Simpson, Castlemaine)
“So much lovely cross-cultural performance full of humour, and profound messages conveying the complexity and futility and courage of living. Crikey, it was rich…” (Vera, Castlemaine)
“… a very fine and heartening evening.” (Robyn Davidson, Castlemaine)
It’s theatre. But it’s not a play. It’s a gig, but not a set list. Penny and Jan are both on stage the entire time in this dramatic, moving and comical piece of storytelling theatre. From a quirky beginning through tough times to a hopeful conclusion, it’s all storytelling, the ancient art, for a contemporary audience.
“There were so many aspects of the show that I appreciated, where do I begin! Those two words, Dignified Anger, will now “sit” with me and “move me” for a long time.” (Marita, Cororooke, Victoria)
“I laughed, I cried…” (Debra Beattie, Brisbane)
Jan ‘Yarn’ Wositzky OAM grew up listening to stories of his Czech-Scots family. He co-founded the much-loved band, The Bushwackers – and so to a fifty plus year career of storytelling and music, in theatre, radio and TV, oral history books with Aboriginal people ‘up north’ and Australian history shows in schools.
Penny Glass grew up with stories of her Australian-Polish-Jewish family, studied drama at the VCA, worked in community & political theatre in Australia, and also for 20 years with prison theatre in Chile where she co-founded cultural activist collective Colectivo Sustento.
Together they create and perform uniquely cross-cultural genre-bending political storytelling.
“Dignified Anger: Stories for a Perilous Now” – Directorial Assistance by Sue Ingleton and Stefo Nantsou.
Find out more about Stefo here>>
Interview on MainFM, Castlemaine>>> Interview on 12 March 2025 with Jan and Penny and Suzanne Donnisthorpe
‘Today on the Retronauts – I’m speaking to story tellers Jan Wositzky and Penny Glass about their show, Dignified Anger for a Perilous Now – coming up as part of the Castlemaine Fringe Festival where they ask what were the stories that got us to where we are now?”
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK:
“ … a very fine and heartening evening.” Robyn Davidson, Vic.
“Dignified Anger is a great and important show. Be proud you two!” Richard Weis, Vic.
“OMG this is good stuff. Class act. Highly recommended. Go!” Hamish Sewell, Qld
“What a magical, mystical, uplifting afternoon. Thank you.” Beccy Wandell, Qld
“A simply stunning evening – much to ponder over, remember and examine further. Thank you.” Katie Bestevaar, Qld
“I laughed, I cried.” Debra Beattie, Qld
“Extremely engaging, a light touch with some heavy issues, inviting the audience to think.” Jane, Qld
“Powerful and riveting. Everyone should see this.” Helene, Castlemaine, Vic
“Loved the breadth of the stories… The personal woven in with the universal.” Sharmila, Qld
“Amazing and inspirational.” Sue, Belli Park, Qld
“Great storytelling, and stories. Heart and soul stuff.” Jill, Qld
“Some beautiful segues, mood and character changes. A wonderful tribute to those whose stories you shared.” Lynne Samson, Qld
“Enduring spirit – shine on brightly. It does us a power of good.” Alan Simpson, Castlemaine, Vic
“So much lovely cross-cultural performance full of humour, and profound messages conveying the complexity and futility and courage of living. Crikey, it was rich…” Vera, Castlemaine, Vic
“Thank you Jan Wositzky and Penny Glass for reaffirming our faith in humanity at a time when it is so easy to feel distraught. Such a beautiful, beautiful show – and if you do it again near any of my friends then they really should make it a ‘must attend.’” Phillip Walker, Chewton, Vic
Great show…..tears and laughter…” Dave Steel, Cororooke, Vic
“Those two words, Dignified Anger, will now “sit” with me and “move me” for a long time. I loved that you were both in bare feet, grounded in this time and place and your use of simple props. The music was perfectly interwoven in your moving storytelling…. Your performance heightened my sense of the richness of storytelling.” Marita, Cororooke, Vic
“Inspiring food for thought.” Anne E Stewart, Qld
“Moving the heart through laughter, tears, honesty – love – so fantastic.” Sulja, Qld
“So many great stories, can’t wait to hear more.” Andy Nehl, Qld
“Loved it! So strong, passionate anger well told, affirming for change.” Karin Cheyne, Qld
“I loved the storytelling, very engaging, and a great way to pass on the message and create awareness on environmental issues, First Nations people, and the music. Thank you.” Maria Reyes, Qld
“Beautifully structured, important storytelling for our times. Good on you for keeping the fires burning.” Therese Collie, Qld
“Moving, funny, skilled, knowledgeable.” Pauline Peel, Qld
“Theatre that teaches, makes us laugh, touches the heart, where we can look back in time to help us see our future.” Sarah Koschak, Vic
“Stories beyond, yet blind in time.” Xris Reardon, Vic
If you have any other comments about the show, or you would like to suggest other stories that counterbalance the dominant narrative that is causing so much violence, suffering and damage in our world, please write to jan@janwositzky.com.au or penelopeglass790@gmail.com
Dignified Anger Program can be downloaded here>>
FIND THE LINKS TO THE Background Research Source Material