I came into the opening night of Fly Girl at Ensemble Theatre with truly zero expectations or prior knowledge of the show, which is fast becoming my favourite way to consume theatre. Turns out, I was walking into the most joyous way to spend an evening.
Fly Girl tells the story of Deborah Lawrie, the first female pilot to fly for a major Australian airline. The show delves into her fight for equality in the aviation industry against the backdrop of the late 1900s.
However, this is not your run-of-the-mill, dry historical retelling. Fly Girl is full-throttle, big-hearted, and hilariously self-aware. The piece takes its subject matter totally seriously without ever taking itself too seriously.
It’s a work that honours Deborah’s legacy while also basking in the downright silliness that makes live performance so special. I have genuinely never seen a group of actors have more fun together on stage, and that energy was completely infectious. The room fizzed from start to finish.
A cast of five portrays over forty characters, and somehow every single one feels distinct and full of life. That’s no small feat, and I have to give full credit to the powerhouse ensemble: Genevieve Hegney, Catherine Moore, Emma Palmer, and Alex Kirwan. Their chemistry is undeniable.
All are totally in sync with each other and the audience. Hegney and Moore also co-wrote Fly Girl. I mean, is there nothing they can’t do?! They are total forces of nature. And I cannot overstate how funny these women are. I was in stitches.
Anchoring the show was up-and-comer Cleo Meinck as Deborah Lawrie. Her grounded performance gives the piece its emotional payoff. I was onside before she even opened her mouth.
It wasn’t just the acting that was spectacular. Every single element of this production is so well-executed. The set, created by Grace Deacon, is historically accurate and totally innovative. The airport flip board, the focal point of this design, is particularly inspired.
Costuming, also created by Deacon, is as much a character as any actor on that stage. It’s a tongue-in-cheek take on design that shares a little wink with the audience.
I love, love, love seeing new Australian work find its space, its audience, and its confidence. Ensemble Theatre deserves huge credit for its consistent effort to champion local artists and the stories that reflect who we are. I’m a huge Ensemble fan.
And boy do they know how to do an opening night. It was a star-studded affair; even Tim Minchin made an appearance. But the most special moment came when the woman of the hour, Deborah Lawrie herself, was invited on stage. Watching her join the cast for a bow, surrounded by the women telling her story, was profoundly moving. The humility and joy on her face made me quite literally burst into tears.
I am an actor myself (albeit a struggling one), and this industry can sometimes feel isolating and self-indulgent. Filled with endless auditions for toothpaste billboards and noodle commercials.
Amongst all the noise, it’s easy to lose sight of what we are really contributing. No, we’re not saving lives, but theatre is the beating heart of our society. It starts conversations. It makes people feel seen. It keeps our stories alive.
Seeing Deborah Lawrie honoured on that stage was a reminder that the arts connect us and ensure we don’t forget. Don’t forget our people, our mistakes, our triumphs. Fly Girl cuts through the noise. It offers a night of reprieve, a breath of fresh air and a deep belly laugh.
Fly Girl runs to 22 November at Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street Kirribilli NSW 2061.
Tickets: https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/fly-girl/
Website: https://www.ensemble.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/ensembletheatre/
Photo credits: Prudence Upton
