Morning Sacrifice
by Dymphna Cusack
Directed by Karen O'Brien-Hall
19th July to 30 August 2003 - Friday, Saturday 8.00pm, Sunday 4.30pm
Easthaven Girl's School is a shining example of
"Excellence in Education for young ladies"
Or is it?
Australian writing legend Dymphna Cusack (Come in Spinner, Caddie) was a schoolteacher for twenty years, but considered these years a waste of time!
Despite top credentials testifying to her teaching ability, in the early 1940's, Cusack was banished to the bush, by the Department of Education, where she was made supernumerary, given no examination responsibilities, told to fill in for other teachers when they were ill and make the morning tea.
Morning Sacrifice, set over three days in the staff room of Easthaven Girls' School, is said to be Cusack's revenge on the Department as it exposes the hidebound education system of the 1930's. Nine teachers, a mix of conservatives and progressives, play office games and struggle for favouritism, while an unnoticed tragedy unfolds around them.
First performed in 1942, Morning Sacrifice has since become a classic of Australian theatre.
Director, Karen O'Brien-Hall; Set Designer, Grant Fraser; Lighting Designer, Michael Schell and Sound Designer, John O'Brien-Hall have collaborated to use the heritage features of The Genesian Theatre, to create a setting in total emphathy with Dymphna Cusack's play. Even long term patrons of the Genesians will see their stage area in a new light!
Cast List
Leonie Auld - Miss Gwyn Carwithen
Susan Carveth - Miss Dora Pearl
Rose Frasca - Mrs MacNeil (Mac)
Nanette Frew - Miss Woods
Helen Miller - Miss Charlotte Bates
Meg Mooney - Miss Margaret Sole
Lynn Rose - Miss Portia Kingsbury
Yasmina Wicks - Miss Sheila Ray
Robyn Williams - Miss Rose Hammond
Crew
Karen O'Brien-Hall - Director
Grant Fraser - Set Design
Michael Schell - Lighting Design
John O'Brien-Hall - Sound Design
Barbara Silveira - Stage Manager