Awaiting flight clearance: the cast of Fly Girl. Photo: Prudence Upton
Deborah Lawrie was Australia’s first female commercial airline pilot – and what a fight it was for her to overcome the aviation world’s chauvinistic male attitudes to women being anything other than hostesses back in the even more patriarchal 1970s. Writers Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore tell Lawrie’s tale with their upbeat brand of comedic flair – and very funny this show is – but at its heart it’s an expose of gender discrimination that took many years to overcome. ‘Fasten your seatbelts,’ as one of the ‘hosties’ says in the opening preamble, ‘it’s going to be a bumpy ride!’
Cleo Meinck makes her Ensemble debut in the role of Deborah. The other 40 or so characters (some of whom are fictional) are played by four actors: Hegney and Moore, plus Alex Kirwan and Emma Palmer.
Grace Deacon’s simple but striking set uses airport-like signage to tell us exactly where we are and where we might hope to be going. Deacon also took charge of the costumes, reminding those of us who were kicking around in the 70s just how much orange there was, and of flares and high waistbands. And almost constant smoking.
We start in 1965 with a 12-year-old Deb swatting up on aircraft and airline regulations. A few years later she has her solo pilot’s licence and is teaching other people to fly commercial aircraft but, despite her expertise and a surfeit of flying hours, can she give Ansett Airlines to give her an interview? Lady pilots! Whatever next? This was circa mid 70s, and while it may seem hilarious now, it wasn’t so funny then for females with any kind of ambition. And Reg Ansett (who, of course figures in this show, embodied by Hegney in one of many quick costume changes) was in charge of a very large boys’ club. Much stonewalling and rejection follows.
But in 1977, Victoria passed its Equal Opportunity Act, which outlawed discrimination based on sex, marital status, and other factors. Ansett wasn’t swayed, but Deb, now 25, and her supporters were prepared to take their case to court. And so the story unfolds further. Although it will take another harrowing 18 months.
Hegney and Moore’s script – with its pithy and funny asides that highlight the social mores of the 70s – and the quicksilver ability of the cast to change a jacket, swap a hat, don or lose a moustache, and become someone else, keeps us enthralled. The orange-clad hosties, cigarettes in hand (and who are no longer employable when they hit 30) are a complete hoot. Director Janine Watson is as surefooted as ever, keeping the action tight. It is, as promised a ‘turbulent ride’, but such a wildly entertaining one. All the performances are terrific. Get yourself a ticket!
(And although it’s not actually mentioned in the play, Deborah Lawrence is still flying commercial planes – and is, apparently, called Fly Girl. Way to go, Deb!)
Catch Fly Girl at the Ensemble until 22 November.
Tickets: $43-90
https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/fly-girl/-
