Featured in St Catherine’s News, Spring 2023, Head of Performing Arts, Mr James Brown explores our Senior School production, Children of the Black Skirt.

Congratulations to the Cast, Crew and Production Team of the brilliant Senior Play, Children of the Black Skirt. After the success of our satirical 2022 Senior Musical, Urinetown, it has been wonderful to turn our attention to a more boutique dramatic offering that grapples with important ideas regarding children’s rights.

The Australian bush. A timeless world. Three children stumble upon a run-down orphanage. Playing ‘dress-ups’ with the tattered and disused clothing sees them transformed, crossing the threshold into a timeless spirit world of the abandoned orphanage. The children become residents of the institution and under the strict, silent gaze of governess Miss Emily Greenant – the Black Skirt, the changelings try to make sense of daily rituals but are haunted by the lingering voices from the past and tormented by the horrible Government Inspector. They tell stories to comfort each other, which releases the spirits of the orphanage’s trapped, forsaken children, one by one.

Written by one of Australia’s leading playwrights, Angela Betzien Children of the Black Skirt weaves real stories into a powerful theatrical world that is deeply poignant and engaging. It is an evocative play that has captivated audiences across the country since it was first performed 20 years ago.

Stylistically, Children of the Black Skirt is a gothic fairytale. In the classic tradition of Australian Gothic Theatre, it recounts the dislocation of the Australian psyche, its unresolved tensions with its landscape, its bush panic, and the stories of its lost children – abandoned, forgotten, stolen. This production served as a reminder of the significance of children’s rights and the inherent value of giving a voice to young people.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the people who made this production possible. Our outstanding cast – Lilla Barrington, Scarlet Russell, and Miranda Ware – all shone more brilliantly and further strengthened their inextricable bond with every rehearsal and performance. Engaging with conventions such as transformation of time, place and character was an exciting challenge for the cast. There were over 40 characters in this production and Lilla, Scarlet and Miranda have done justice to each of them.

To Ms Kathryn Lucas for the creativity, positivity, and grace she always brings to theatremaking. Our Backstage Crew, Stage Manager, Phoebe Russell, and Ashleigh Jakobovits, Assistant Stage Manager; Technical Team, Danning (Rachel) Liu, and Anqi (Angel) Cai and our Maintenance Crew, Mr Andrae Sellar and Mr Mark Vincenzini – the cog turners, set builders and mood makers, thank you all.

To Aunty Gail Smith, Aunty Julieanne Axford, and the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, thank you for the guidance and support you have provided.

It was a privilege to work with such a wonderfully committed and selfless group of students and staff who contributed to this year’s Senior Production. It is one that will remain with audiences for years to come.