What I Wrote: Hannie Rayson
A STUDY GUIDE BY KATY MARRINER
Snodger Media and Ronin Films
http://www.theeducationshop.com.au Introduction Playbox. Rayson has also written the highly acclaimed plays Scenes from This study guide to accompany What I a Separation, Life After George, Two Wrote: Hannie Rayson has been written Brothers, Inheritance and The Glass for senior secondary students. It pro- Soldier. Her television writing credits vides information and suggestions for include Seachange and an episode of learning activities in English, Literature, the ABC series Seven Deadly Sins. Theatre Studies and Drama. Rayson was the joint recipient of the What I Wrote: Hannie Rayson is a short Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award in film about Australian playwright Hannie 1996 and has won both the Victorian Rayson. Dr Tess Brady interviews Ray- and NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. son and provides a critical introduction In 1999 Rayson received the Maga- to Hotel Sorrento, Inheritance, Life zine Publishers’ Society of Australia’s After George and Two Brothers. What I Columnist of the Year Award for her Wrote: Hannie Rayson also includes a regular contributions to HQ magazine. discussion of many of Rayson’s other Rayson made playwriting history when plays and an investigation of her ap- Life After George became the first play proach to writing for the stage. to be nominated for the Miles Franklin Award. What I Wrote: Hannie Rayson is one title from a four-part series spotlight- About the filmmakers ing Australian playwrights. The series offers students information about the Dr Tess Brady – Presenter ideas and processes of the playwrights Dr Tess Brady is a highly respected as well as the opportunity to hear what editor, researcher and teacher of writ- the playwrights have to say about their ing at university level. She was the work. Other titles available in the What I co-founding editor of the international Wrote series include: online scholarly journal TEXT and has published children’s picture books, • What I Wrote: Matt Cameron adult radio drama, crime fiction, short • What I Wrote: Louis Nowra stories and popular non-fiction. Her • What I Wrote: Katherine Thomson most recent publication is Creative Writing: Theory beyond practice, with Further information about the series Nigel Krauth. can be found at
Hannie Rayson Catherine Gough-Brady Hannie Rayson is a graduate of Mel- – Director bourne University and the Victorian Catherine Gough-Brady is a documen- College of the Arts (VCA) and has an tary filmmaker. She has made works Honorary Doctorate of Letters from La for a variety of media. Gough-Brady Trobe University. A co-founder of The- has produced and directed educational atreworks, she has served as Writer-in- videos and web sites. Her ‘docugame’ Residence to the Mill Theatre, Playbox Docks Dispute
Rayson is recognized as one of Austra- lia’s most significant playwrights. Her first major success was Hotel Sorrento, a Playbox/Theatreworks co-production, which won several prizes including the Australian Writers Guild Award. Her next two plays Falling From Grace and Competitive Tenderness premiered at Using What I Wrote: ence of and attitudes to theworld in • ‘What I find drives me is engaging which she lives have influenced the with the national conversation.’ Hannie Rayson construction of the text. Work in a – Hannie Rayson in the classroom small group tocomplete the analysis. Develop a PowerPoint presentation Drawing on What I Wrote: Hannie Teachers may select from the following to communicate this information to Rayson and your knowledge of Ray- activities to support students’ viewing the class. son’s plays, make a list of the issues and close analysis of What I Wrote: that Rayson has brought to audi- Hannie Rayson. • A writer’s relationship with his or her ences’ attention. environment is a central concern The writer’s context of Hotel Sorrento. What does Meg • Do you think Rayson’s plays have the ‘Ordinary people’s lives are incredible Moynihan claim she writes about? power to influence people’s response material for art.’ to real world events and issues? – Hannie Rayson Views and values ‘Hannie is a playwright of really big A significant aspect of Rayson’s plays ‘Being curious about the way that the ideas. Her plays engage in the conver- is her fascination with family. She uses world works and the way people live is sations that are on the front page of family as a stage to play out her quest important.’ the daily paper.’ for understanding people’s complexi- – Hannie Rayson – Dr Tess Brady ties. Hotel Sorrento has family at its core, as does Life After George, In- • As you view What I Wrote: Hannie ‘I’m interested in the intimate and the heritance, Two Brothers and The Glass Rayson, compile a list of statements personal and the private … we’re all Soldier. that describe Rayson’s place in soci- connected in some way to family.’ ety. – Hannie Rayson • As you view What I Wrote: Hannie Rayson, compile a list of statements • What I Wrote: Hannie Rayson claims Hannie Rayson’s plays are intellectu- that explain Rayson’s interest in fam- that Rayson writes about familiar ally robust. It is theatre that tackles the ily. territory – inner urban landscapes. big issues and provides a contempo- Is this true of the playthat you are rary vision of Australian society. While • ‘Family provides Rayson with a deli- studying? her plays advocate a particular social ciously dysfunctional group of people or political stance, the drama is never varying in age and jobs and some- • Use the internet, critical essays and black and white. Through her charac- times social background.’ Discuss commentaries to compile a detailed ters, Rayson articulates a variety of the validity of this claim by drawing summary of the contexts that shape beliefs and while we may disagree with on one of Rayson’s plays. Why do Rayson’s work as a playwright. Dis- many of these beliefs, Rayson brings you think Rayson uses family as a cuss your findings with others in the us to an understanding of why the platform to explore complex ideas class. characters take such stances. and issues?
• Drawing on one of Rayson’s plays, • Do you think of Rayson as a political determine how Rayson’s experi- writer? Critical perspectives lived his life with passion and gusto. He • Use the Internet, critical commentar- was charismatic, careless and some- ies and reviews to arrive at a detailed times cruel, but he never failed to revel knowledge and understanding of the in life’s offerings and to celebrate the critical reception of Rayson’s writing. importance of the life of the mind. What viewpoints do you support? What viewpoints do you refute? In Life after George, Rayson investi- gates why those studying at universities The plays are no longer students but customers and considers how such a corporate Hotel Sorrento agenda has changed education. Her ‘At the core of this play is a family main character Peter George supports struggling with loyalty, loyalty to each education as Rayson would like it to be, other and loyalty to their own story.’ a liberal, classical education for life. – Dr Tess Brady • Do you like Peter George? Or is ‘like’ In Hotel Sorrento, the Moynihan family the wrong word to use? is the context for Rayson’s discussion of personal and Australian identity. • ‘I wanted to create a man who was Meg Moynihan insists that her second committed and believed truly in novel ‘Melancholy’ is fiction but her scholarship.’ sisters do not agree. Hilary and Pippa – Hannie Rayson believe that Meg has invaded their pri- vacy and revealed the secrets of their What moments and statements in shared past. The sisters claim that Life After George show this to be Meg may have changed the names but true? she has still written her family’s story. Rayson acknowledges that George is a • Do you agree with Brady’s reading of mass of contradictions. She draws on Hotel Sorrento? a poem by Walt Whitman to justify her assessment of George and to explain • Discuss Rayson’s anecdote about her interest in creating complex char- seeing Hotel Sorrento performed in acters. London. • Compile a profile for one of Rayson’s • Drawing on pertinent quotations characters. Use moments and state- from Hotel Sorrento generate a dis- ments from the play to highlight the cussion of loyalty. contradictions that are evident in the character’s nature and behaviour. • Hotel Sorrento was made into a feature film by Richard Franklin in • What I Wrote: Hannie Rayson men- 1995. Information about the film and tions Rayson’s resignation from the reviews are available on the internet. board of the Victorian College of Arts Develop a detailed comparison of a was prompted by discontent and scene from the play and the same a difference of opinion. Read and scene in the film. Describe how Ray- discuss Rayson’s public statements son’s scene is recreated in the film about university education: and evaluate the effectiveness of the • Degrees of Separation: The Univer- adaptation. sity and the Spirit of Enquiry (2001):
• ‘Life After George is a moving One brother is a prime minister in wait- and perceptive insight into social ing. The other is a left-wing community change.’ Is this how you see the lawyer and activist. Their relationship play? is one of affection and respect that accommodates their ideological differ- Inheritance ences. The play opens on a dark and ‘Inheritance is a play set over country stormy night when James Benedict, and over time.’ the Minister for Home Security, stabs a – Dr Tess Brady man to death, in self-defence. The man is the sole survivor from an Indonesian Inheritance is a powerful family saga fishing boat packed with refugees that set in the sprawling Mallee District of went down in the Indian Ocean on Victoria. The Delaneys and the Hamil- Christmas Day. tons gather to celebrate the eightieth birthdays of the families’ matriarchs In Two Brothers, Rayson uses family to and twin sisters Dibs and Girlie. When discuss evil and power. Is it acceptable it emerges that the family farm may be to do evil if by doing it we can create a sold, the battle to decide the rightful much greater good? Both brothers are heir begins. caught in the crossfire of this dilemma.
Rayson’s play deals with divisions. The • What does Two Brothers tell us about division between the city and the bush, power and the psychology of deci- the division between black and white, sion makers? and the division between duty and freedom. • What does Rayson claim as the start- ing points for Two Brothers? • ‘Inheritance is about ownership, belonging and our relationship to the • Make a list of the events and issues land.’ Is this an apt summary of the that are the focus of Two Brothers. play? Use the internet to learn more about the issues that are debated in Two • As you view What I Wrote: Hannie Brothers. Rayson, compile a list of statements that explain Rayson’s decision to Given Two Brothers was the story of write a play about rural Australia. two brothers on different political sides and debated Australia’s attitudes to • ‘Inheritances, who gets what and asylum seekers, many saw the play as why, have always been the stuff of a provocative documentary. The play’s great drama.’ Do you agree? Draw subject matter was debated in The on moments and statements from Age. Rayson was compelled to write a the play to support your evaluation. defence of the drama. The media hype ensured the play was performed to • Do you think Inheritance allows packed houses. urban audiences to understand the plight of people in rural areas? • Use the internet to find out more about the way critics, commentators • In Inheritance, Rayson doesn’t sup- and audiences responded to the play. port One Nation ideals and values, Rayson’s reply was published in The but she investigates what drives Age on 19 April 2005. people to support and vote for such values. How does Rayson achieve • ‘Two Brothers is a compelling, pro- this intention? vocative and entertaining thriller.’ Do you agree with this assessment of the play? Falling From Grace • What did this way of writing allow Falling From Grace is regarded as Rayson to learn about herself as a Rayson’s feminist play. It is a play playwright? about three women: best friends, who are faced with a moral dilemma. The • What attitudes to marriage are re- women must choose whether or not flected in Scenes from a Separation? to publish the story of Miriam Roth, a high-profile medical practitioner, and • Compare the opening of Act 1 writ- keep quiet about the possibility of ten by Bovell with the opening of Act flawed research. 2 written by Rayson. Make a list of the similarities and differences. Use • What does Falling From Grace tell this analysis to develop a description the audience about female friend- of Rayson’s style. ships? The Glass Soldier works of Arthur Miller and Anton • Do you think Falling From Grace still ‘One man’s quest to find that light.’ Chekhov. Research the life and writ- has something to say? – Hannie Rayson ing of either Miller or Chekhov. Create an A4 document that offers an en- Competitive Tenderness The Glass Soldier is based on the life gaging profile of the selected writer. Competitive Tenderness is a farce. The story of Nelson Ferguson. In the final months of World War One, Private city of Greater Burke is in the frontline • In What I Wrote: Hannie Rayson Ferguson, an ordinary Australian, was of local government reform. Dawn reveals that she is indebted to the wounded in a gas attack. Ferguson, a Snow’s attempts to rationalize at an way Australian playwrights like David stretcher-bearer in the medical corps, irrational speed are very funny. Williamson, Alex Buzo, John Romeril was almost completely blinded in both and Jack Hibbert put Australian eyes. In the years after the war, Fergu- • Given the large cast and the humor- voices on stage and allowed Rayson son proved himself to be anything but ous subject matter, conduct a class to realize that the human condition ordinary. reading of the play. could be explored in an Australian setting. She also claims that her • What does The Glass Soldier tell us • Working as a class, research the way contemporaries, Andrew Bovell, Matt about mateship? the Kennett era of economic ratio- Cameron, Louis Nowra and Katherine nalism shaped Victoria and in turn Thompson continue to teach her a • Like Rayson, do you find Ferguson’s Competitive Tenderness. great deal about how to write. story extraordinary?
• Having read Competitive Tenderness • Form a Literature Circle with others in • What does Rayson acknowledge as and researched the issues and ideas your class. Read a play by one of the the challenges of telling Ferguson’s that drive the drama, do you agree named playwrights. Share your im- story? with Rayson’s assessment of the pressions with your Literature Circle. play? • Do you think Rayson has done the • ‘Plot comes sort of last.’ • ‘I had to write that play before I story justice? ‘I’m not good at treatments.’ wrote Life After George.’ Rayson speaks of Competitive Tenderness The writing process ‘I like to create a circumstance which as a stepping stone play. What does ‘Story telling, just simple story telling, by that opens out all myriad of pos- this tell you about the nature of writ- is quite elusive. And mastering that sibilities.’ ing? just takes practice.’ – Hannie Rayson Drawing on Rayson’s statements in Scenes from a Separation What I Wrote: Hannie Rayson, dis- cuss how she creates and structures Scenes from a Separation was written One of the things to notice about Han- the drama. by Andrew Bovell and Hannie Rayson. nie’s plays is that at the heart is a fam- It has been described as a marriage in ily. She doesn’t write family sagas but • ‘The ideas need to be wrangled.’ two competing acts. The play presents she uses family as if it’s a landscape male and female perspectives of mar- or a large canvas for her characters to What insights does Rayson provide riage through Matthew and Nina’s story play out those big ideas. about the role of her dramaturges of love and loss. – Dr Tess Brady Hilary Glow and Michael Cathcart?
• What aspects of the project proved • Rayson acknowledges her own • Rayson explains that there must be challenging? writing has been influenced by the movement in a scene in terms of plot, character and theme. Examine Analytic responses From script to stage a scene from one of Rayson’s plays The following topics could be used for and identify such changes. written text responses, debates, panel • Create and present a short solo discussions and online forums. performance from one of Rayson’s • Were you interested to learn about plays. Submit a short written report Rayson’s commitment to research? • ‘Hannie Rayson’s plays are topical, that describes and analyses the pro- complex dramas written with wit cesses used to create and present • What is Rayson’s view of the re- and humour.’ Discuss. Refer to one the performance. hearsal process? or more of Rayson’s plays to justify your interpretation. • ‘Being intellectually rigorous is im- portant.’ • ‘Hannie Rayson writes middle – Hannie Rayson class theatre about middle class characters directed to middle class Rayson offers her best writing tips in audiences.’ Is this a fair criticism of What I Wrote: Hannie Rayson. What Rayson’s body of work? tip do you think you will follow?
This program is available from Ronin Films. PO Box 1005 Civic Square ph: +61 2 6248 0851 ACT 2608 Australia fax: +61 2 6249 1640 [email protected] www.roninfilms.com.au
Printed play scripts are available from Currency Press at
This study guide was produced by ATOM © Snodger Media [email protected]
For more information on Screen Education magazine, or to download other free study guides, visit
For hundreds of articles on Film as Text, Screen Literacy, Multiliteracy and Media Studies, visit
Notice: An educational institution may make copies of all or part of this study guide, provided that it only makes and uses copies as reasonably required for its own educational, non-commercial, classroom purposes and does not sell or lend such copies.