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The Girls in Grey

A vivid retelling of nurses stories from World War 1

Set within the vast landscape of World War One, this inspirational work brings to life the voices of Australian nurses in a poetic, candid interpretation of life on active service. The Girls In Grey is published by Currency Press was included on the VCE Drama Curriculum for 2012.

Australian nurses Elsie, Grace, and Alice leave our Australian shores, determined to prove their worth and find adventure.The splendour of sunsets over the sphinx is soon obliterated by the eruption of casualties from Gallipoli and the Dardanelles. The barren shores of Lemnos Island test even the most stoic, and in the muddy sludge of the Western Front they battle horrific working conditions, bearing witness to the horror of war and the devastation of young men involved in front line conflict.

Elsie always looks for the brighter side. Her infectious sense of humour disguises a fierce determination to follow her husband Syd to war. Courageous Alice is drawn to adventure, unexpectedly falling in love with Harry; a lieutenant whose fate is to be at the dreadful battle of Fromelles. Sturdy, serious Grace is the demanding yet compassionate Matron whose calm resolve is gradually eroded by the anguish of war.



 

 

IN PERFORMANCE AND TOURING HISTORY

Four actors; three female, and one male who plays the multiple roles of husband, sweetheart, brother and the iconic role of “the unknown soldier” perform The Girls in Grey.


The first development season was at La Mama theatre in Carlton November 2010, followed by performances at The Shrine of Remembrance in May 2011 as part of Education Week. In 2012 the play opened on ANZAC Day for a three-week season at Theatre Works in St Kilda and was on the VCE Curriculum as part of drama studies. The play then toured to regional Victoria in 2013 and N.S.W. and Victoria in 2014 and W.A. and Victoria in 2015. 


This production was generously supported by Cybec Foundation. 



 


THE GIRLS IN GREY REVIEWS



“A tribute to the courage of Australian Military Nurses” (The Age)


The acting was superb…well researched and beautifully written...The Girls in Grey is inspiring, poignant and honest...’ (Artshub)


An artistic blend of history and theatre to preserve these precious stories and enlighten the generations of today and tomorrow” (Melbourne Observer)


“An insightful historical text, it is no surprise that The Girls in Grey is on the VCE Drama list…It would make an excellent touring show” (Stage Whispers)


Riveting theatre” (3PBS)


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