CHILDREN OF THE BLACK SKIRT

Louise Brehmer and Janinie Matthews, Photo by Stephen Henry

Synopsis:

Three lost children stumble across an abandoned orphanage in the bush. They become trapped in a timeless world, haunted by spirits from the past. They are tormented, too, by the Black Skirt, a cruel governess who floats up and down the orphanage corridors wielding enormous scissors. But as the stories of these forgotten children are told— from pick pocketing incidents in the eighteenth century to the tragedies of the Stolen Generations in the twentieth— their spirits are released, one by one.

Children of the Black Skirt is a gothic fairytale with bite. Roald Dahl meets Charles Dickens under the harsh Australian sun, as Angela Betzien explores Australian’s history and the healing power of storytelling.

Children of the Black Skirt has been published by Currency Press. To purchase a copy on-line, please click here

Jodie Le Vesconte. Photo by Stephen Henry

Seasons:

2005
The 2005 tour was auspaced by Queensland Theatre Company.

Come Out Youth Arts Festival, Adelaide, February, regional tour.

Sydney Opera House season, Housed Ed Program, March, Utzon Room.

RAV season, Victoria, April and May, regional and metro tour.

2004

QAC on-tour-in-schools, Queensland metro and regional tour.

RAV regional and metro tour of Victoria.

2003
QAC on-tour-in-schools, Queensland regional tour.

Reviews:

‘This work explore incredibly important aspects of Australian history and is rapidly becoming cult viewing for young audiences across Australia through its schools’ touring and main stage exposure’.

Sally Chance, Come Out Festival Director

A fantastic performance, thought provoking, very necessary subject matter to be discussed, such a clever production.

Pastor Kathryn Koning
Immanuel Lutheran College

Shanora Chapman
Victory College

A thoroughly stimulating, poignant and professionally presented performance on a heart-wrenching, topical subject.

Lee Cochrane
Redcliffe SHS

Fantastic energy displayed which captivated our audience. A brilliant playwright carried off beautifully by the exuberant energy displayed by the performers.

Elena Higgins

Cleveland Education and Training Centre

Children of the Black Skirt was an excellent production. The skills employed by the actors to bring this lyrical and heartfelt performance to life were outstanding. Our middle years students were mesmerized and full of questions afterwards. This would be a perfect VCE Drama play for 2005.

Peter Robert
 Yarra Valley Grammar School

Louise Brehmer, Jodie LeVesconte and Janinie Matthews. Photo by Stephen Henry

Awards:

2005
Drama Victoria Award: Best Performance by a Theatre Company for Secondary Schools for Children of the Black Skirt

2004
Drama Victoria Award Nomination: Best performance by a Theatre Company for Secondary Schools for Children of the Black Skirt

Creative Team:

Writer: Angela Betzien
Director: Leticia Cáceres
Composer: Pete Goodwin
Designer: Tanja Beer
Costume maker: Craig Rada
Assistant Designer/stage manager: Kylie Degen

2005 Crew
Stage Manager Come Out Festival Tour: Allana Sheard
Stage Manager Sydney Opera House: Kylie Degen

Cast 2005
Laurel Collins
Fiona Doyle
Jodie Le Vesconte

Cast 2004
Louise Brehmer
Janine Matthews
Jodie Le Vesconte

Cast 2003
Louise Brehmer
Sandy Greenwood
Jodie Le Vesconte

AVAILABLE FOR TOURING

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Itemised Set Information