Our current Year 12 girls have been working hard on their HSC Drama performances and Individual Project submissions these past few weeks.

Plays were a very early entertainment our girls enjoyed; very often the girls would put on a little skit or a longer drama if a special visitor came to the School, or there was an occasion to celebrate. Over time bigger annual performances were common, with smaller performances throughout the year, similar to how Light Entertainment now precedes the spectacle of our annual Music Festival. The role of Drama Councillor was first introduced in 1991 (a role held by Annelise James), and 1992 was the first Drama HSC class. Students have even been fortunate enough to travel overseas for Drama (& Visual Arts) Immersion Tours, namely to New York City.

Sometimes the Loreto Sisters would write plays for the girls to perform - one of our notable playwrights was the wordsmith M.M. Oliver. Miss Gandon was also a much-beloved and creative drama teacher in the 1960’s-70’s. But very often, and particularly as time went on, the plays and performances were student-led - from makeup to costuming, stage direction, acting, pamphlet and programme making. You may have seen the My Fair Lady programme made by Helen Powell, and donated by Patsy Shannon to our Archives in 2020. You can view the programme if you are logged in by scrolling through the Gallery below.

Sometimes exclusively produced by Loreto, there were also times when the plays brought together Normanhurst girls with students from other schools - it was very helpful to have the boys from St Ignatius’, St Leo’s and from Normanhurst Boys School play some of the male roles from time to time!

The 1987 School Magazine noted that the annual performance was ‘The Good Doctor:'

"The play had all the ingredients for success: devoted directors, keen actresses and a production crew who were able to transform feminine young ladies into bawdy Russian men with only a few mishaps.”

We love stories about the Performing Arts at LN over the years, and would love you to share your memories by commenting below. You must log in to access this Comment section. We'd love to hear from you! Please also enjoy the flashbacks in the Photo Gallery below.