Revisiting the Mallee: Hannie Rayson & Michael Cathcart in conversation

On Friday 23 November 2018, Hannie Ryan was in conversation about her play Inheritance and her Mallee research by her husband Michael Cathcart, the presenter of ABC Radio National’s arts program The Hub – On Stage in Mildura.

Hannie Rayson is one of Australia’s most celebrated playwrights. Her play Inheritance is a story about the Mallee. It resulted from a two-year project, which took Hannie from Sea Lake to Nyah West via Qambatook, Chinkapook, Manangatang and every place in between.

Inheritance premiered at the Melbourne Theatre Company and at the Sydney Theatre Company, winning three Helpmann Awards – Best Play, Best New Australian Work and Best Director.

Michael has also undertaken Mallee research into a secret paramilitary organisation called The White Army for his book Defending the National Tuckshop. In 1931, locals mobilised to protect the citizens of the region from a Bolshevik invasion. Residents who have their own stories of these by-gone events are warmly invited to share them with the audience.