In 1970s Australia, Deborah Lawrie was a young woman with a fierce determination to fly commercial aircraft at a time when no airline would allow it. The young Victorian woman was more than qualified to fly for Ansett, but she was repeatedly rejected simply because of her sex.
Leading the way
So she took the airline to court and made history as Australia’s first female commercial airline pilot. Her fight for the right to fly not only changed aviation but paved the way for generations of women who came after her.
Her remarkable story is now on stage in Fly Girl, written by Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore, who also star in the production. Together, they’ve crafted a play that’s as uplifting as it is funny — a celebration of resilience with warmth and wit.
Clever & funny
The cast of five actors (including a compelling Cleo Meinck as Lawrie) play around 40 different characters, yet not once was I confused about who’s who. Although the physical stage is small, clever staging, imaginative direction, and brisk scene changes ensure the action feels expansive. The ’70s uniforms and fashions created by Grace Deacon are spot on, and her set design including inventive use of an airport flip board is simple but effective. The writing is sharp and there are loads of laughs throughout, with humour used wisely to offset the play’s darker themes of prejudice and sexism.
The second half runs a little long and could have been tightened up. But that’s a minor turbulence in what is otherwise an engaging piece of theatre.
The opening night audience gave the play a richly deserved standing ovation. Unbeknownst to most of us, Lawrie was in the audience and when she was called to the stage, the cheers were thunderous. At 73, she is still in the air, flying commercial airplanes for Virgin Australia.
‘Fly Girl’
Ensemble Theatre
Until 22 November, 2025
ensemble.com.au
