One of celebrated playwright David Williamson’s first works, The Removalists premiered at Melbourne’s pioneering La Mama in 1971.

It was part of local theatre’s New Wave, finally representing Australians on stage with their own voice, settings and concerns. That’s long been commonplace of course, so this satirical drama isn’t as shocking as it was.

Nevertheless this new Melbourne Theatre Company production still packs a punch, in part because it makes The Removalists feel relevant today even while embracing its period setting.

Steve Mouzakis in Melbourne Theatre Company’s The Removalists. Photo © Pia Johnson

It opens in a small police station in inner-city Melbourne, on young Constable Ross’s first day on duty. He’s quickly put in his place by Sergeant Simmonds, his only colleague.

This corrupt, authoritarian, misogynistic older man is initially slow to help when Kate enters with her sister Fiona, who is being beaten by her husband, Kenny. Simmonds eventually decides there’s something in it for him, and offers an after-hours visit with Ross and a removalist.

The ensuing drama at Fiona and Kenny’s flat is a microcosm of 1970s Australian society: sexist, violent and, as represented by the removalist who turns a...