The play chronicles the eccentric rise and political fall of King O'Malley, a flamboyant Texan idealist navigating the turbulent landscape of early twentieth-century Australian politics. O'Malley arrives in Australia with grand visions, utilizing his unique charisma to secure seats in two separate parliaments. His trajectory is challenged by the rigid structures of the political establishment and his own uncompromising moral stances. The narrative employs a non-linear, vaudeville-inspired framework to contrast his populist energy against the mounting pressures of the 1917 conscription crisis.

This play is widely recognized as a foundational text of the Australian New Wave theatre movement, marking a shift toward more experimental and indigenous storytelling forms. Critics often highlight how the work successfully blends historical biography with the irreverent energy of the music hall tradition. The text is frequently studied for its role in defining a distinctively Australian theatrical voice that challenged the dominance of imported British and American dramas. Its enduring presence in academic and performance circles suggests that the play remains a vital reference point for understanding the evolution of political satire in the region.