LUNCH – IN CONVERSATION
JOIN – DEBORAH LAWRIE, CATH MOORE and GEN HEGNEY for an insightful ‘In Conversation’ surrounding the creating of FLY GIRL
In January 2023, the Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre, Mark Kilmurry, emailed Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore an article about trailblazer, Deborah Lawrie.
He asked if they’d be keen to write a play based on her story believing they’d bring a sense of “the comic (and dramatic) to this woman’s great struggle.” The article, which spoke of Deb’s fight against Reg Ansett was incredibly compelling. But it was the fact Reg believed Air Hostesses were “old boilers” by age 28 and that women’s menstrual cycles made them “unsuitable” to fly planes that convinced the writing duo they were the right “old boilers” to tell this story.
FLY GIRL had its world premiere at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre on October 17 2025 to critical acclaim.
The sold out season was overwhelmingly received by critics and audiences alike. Many audiences were gifted a treat when Deb was in attendance.
Gen and Cath are currently adapting FLY GIRL for the screen.
FLY GIRL – Reviews
“This world premiere production is likely to go on to achieve big things. With its timeless themes, nostalgic appeal and cinematic nature, it would be no surprise at all to see Fly Girl staged in revival for years to come, or even make the transition to become an iconic Australian film of the stature of Muriel’s Wedding, The Castle or The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. You heard it here first: Fly Girl is going to travel very far and wide!” Arts Hub
“Playwrights Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore bring this epic tale to the Ensemble stage with humour, joy and just the right amount of bite.” The Sydney Morning Herald
“Fly Girl is a glorious, heartfelt, hilarious, tear-jerking couple of hours; never mind anti-depressants, it should be on Medicare. Afterward, my face ached from laughing and grinning.” Stage Noise
SPONSORED by a NOOSA local (Anonymous)
Who saw the Sydney Production of FLY GIRL & greatly supported NA! in presenting this ‘IN CONVERSATION’ Lunch
