How To Plot a Hit in Two Days

When Australia’s sweetheart Molly Jones, played by Anne Tenney, died in June 1985 over 14 episodes of the fifth season of ‘A Country Practice’, the country held its breath. One sixth of the population, 2.2 million people, were watching her death, between ad breaks, on this twice-a-week serial. It was powerful stuff. 

But what was it like for the writers and planners of the series - the death of the favourite character - especially as this major move was done at the specific request of the actor involved? Over to the busy, at times frantic, series writers’ Conference Room, as imagined by writer Melanie Tait.

It takes a good while to get going. Bert (Sean O’Shea) plays classical music on his portable player, and Judy (Georgie Parker) chats about her family. Then Dell (Genevieve Lemon) discusses theatre criticism in ‘The Mirror’ and Sally (Julia Robertson) arrives in full nurse’s uniform, completely unprepared for any writing duties. She’s been called in to attend this unscheduled meeting.

Things look up when Sharon (Amy Ingram) appears. She’s very large and full of beans, hair everywhere, dressed for motorcycle riding in Fleetwood Mac style, and she’s got the very big news. Our brightest star wants to leave the show. That’s right, we have to kill, or stop, or somehow retire Molly Jones! Shocked, the writing group gather in a circle to consider their options.

The play certainly warms up as the 5-person rescue team swings into action, guided by Sally, who has the main medical skills and the loud-mouthed Sharon, who seems to rule the roost. But it’s Judy who will bring all the strands together.

All five actors have much to commend them, though it’s hard to look past the imposing Amy Ingram. She jumps about like a bull in a china shop, imposing her will on the others, forever writing up their changing ideas on a large board in their imposing work room, designed beautifully by Simone Romaniuk who also designed the costumes.

Melanie Tait has proved herself with other plays premiered by the Ensemble, including ‘The Appleton Ladies Potato Race’, ‘A Broadcast Coup’ and ‘The Queen’s Nanny’. This one has hit written all over it, as its title exclaims. And under the direction of Lee Lewis, it is a sure-fire success.

Frank Hatherley

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Photographer: Brett Boardman