Morning Sacrifice

Sydney 1938: the education system and teacher/student expectations were quite different to the present day. Morning Sacrifice is based on the actual experience of the playwright.

Jim Dickson’s production took us into the Staff Room of a respectable school for young ladies and introduced us to idiosyncrasies and malicious snipes of women divided in their

ideals and views on punishment and the place of young girls in society. The atmosphere was cold and uninviting.

The cast of seven teachers, the head teacher and the Headmistress worked their way through the consequences a student deserves for (what we today would not give a second thought) kissing a boy at the school dance.

Strong performances all round were sure to bring back one’s own school experiences, whenever they were endured.

The detail in the set dressing was true to the era and the costumes suited both the period and the characters.

Efficient technical support has become a hallmark of Javeenbah’s production.

The only downside to the performance was a small audience. 

Footnote: Jim survived the ordeal of contending with nine women and lives to direct another show.

Roger McKenzie