[4][5] Premiering on 23 August 1972, Charles played the main character at the season at the Pram Factory, with Peter Cummins, Jude Kuring, and Tim Robertson taking the other three parts.
[8] The script of the play was published in 1982 by Yackandandah Playscripts,[5] and a documentary film of the same title observing seven years of Charles' life, made by Amiel Courtin-Wilson, was released in 2008.
[9][4] The Floating World (1975) is his most admired play,[1] described by one critic as "a pioneering drama in the context of the predominantly Anglo-Celtic orientation of the APG's theatrical output".
[10] His later work is placed firmly in the context of Australia being part of the Asia Pacific region, including Japan.
[1] His plays have examined many influences on Australian society, such as war,[11] American cultural imperialism and national politics.