Eighteen Senior Drama students braved the rain on Wednesday night and ventured into the Heath Ledger Theatre to see The Torrents, the latest production from Black Swan State Theatre Company. This Australian play was written in 1955 and won the prestigious Playwright’s Advisory Board Competition, however, had very little commercial success, possibly because it was ahead of its time. Our girls loved it! Here are some of their reflections:

Watching this play was a great experience, especially after our recent work diving into the world of Blue Stockings; the exploration of women’s right in Britain. The Torrents encapsulated the Australian history surrounding the place of women in the late 1800s and cemented how far we have come, and how far we have to go. Going to watch professional theatre also illustrates creative set, costume and blocking choices which we can take as inspiration into classwork. Emma Robinson, Year 12

The Torrents was such an incredible and inspiring performance to watch as we saw a brave woman overcome challenges and fight inequality in the 1800s. The play also made me think about how far equality has come and still has to go. The set design and overall production design was creative and outstanding. Charlotte Italiano, ​Year 12

I thought The Torrents was a really amazing play. The storyline was not only entertaining but educational and humorous too! The actors put on an incredible performance, maintaining their characters throughout the play and managing to enhance the comedic moments. The set was incredible, both extraordinarily realistic and practical at the same time, adding to the performance quality overall. In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed The Torrents and walked away more knowledgeable than before. Would definitely recommend. Tahlia Menner, Year 11 

The Torrents featured an extremely talented cast and design team, who were able to create an engaging and insightful piece. The play was an exploration of the hardships many women faced in the workforce during the late 19th century. It was both educational and empowering as it emphasised the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Overall I found the play to be extremely captivating and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been able to see it. Kate Naunton-Morgan, Year 11