Skip to main content

About Falling From Grace

Falling from Grace was first produced in 1994 in Melbourne. This is the first time Ballarat National Theatre have produced Falling from Grace.

Synopsis

Hannie Rayson, one of Australia's most prolific, successful and beloved writers, has created a contemporary story about the deep friendship between three women.

Suzannah, Maggie and Janet have been colleagues and best friends for years. But their relationship is about to be severely challenged by husbands, lovers, children, work ... and a new drug! They work together, publishing a high-quality magazine, and have always helped each other to deal with life's crises.

The magazine is preparing to print an article about Miriam Roth, a high-profile female medical researcher, who is conducting a trial of a drug for PMS. This drug may or may not be responsible for birth defects. The play considers what is moral/ethical and how modern people deal with difficult situations. The underlying issue is not clear-cut and you are likely to change your mind, as do the play characters several times as various facts are revealed.

8th - 15th July, 2017

  • Venue: The Courthouse Theatre

  • Genre: Drama

  • Playwright: Hannie Rayson

  • Director: Peter Nethercote

  • 2017 VDL Awards Entry

About the Director

Peter Nethercote

Peter Nethercote has been involved with BNT since 1968, when he was offered a lead role. Since then he has acted, directed, designed and written scripts for the company.

He has also directed and designed productions and performed for BLOC, Lyric, Begonia Festival, Ballarat Theatre Company and Ballarat Grammar.

He was able to stage two of his musicals, "Trifle" and "Barchester" with BNT.

Playwrights

Hannie Rayson is an award-winning Australian playwright and newspaper columnist known for writing plays that represent social issues. Her works include Hotel Sorrento, which won several prizes including an AWGIE Award.
Rayson was the joint recipient of the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award in 1996 and has won Victorian and New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards and the Helpmann Award for Best New Australian Work. She is the only playwright ever to be nominated for the Miles Franklin Award, for Life After George.
Her more recent works include: Scenes from a Separation (written with Andrew Bovell), Competitive Tenderness, Inheritance, The Glass Soldier, The Swimming Club and Extinction. Her TV writing credits include Sloth (ABC, Seven Deadly Sins) and co-written two episodes of SeaChange (ABC/Artists Services).

Cast

Jan Gaylor

Suzannah

Jeanette Baxter

Maggie

James Mclaren

Michael

Mary Rose Mclaren

Miriam

Maddiline Holland

Tessa

Trevor Day

Hugh

Miranda Donald

Brock