LATEST NEWS - PRESS ARTICLES

Hearts on the line
by Kristy Spena
Front Cover & Pages 6 & 7, The Weekender
Thursday, July 15, 2004

Lights. Camera. Action. Local actor, screenwriter and director Sally McLean is at her best again with her latest production PS I Love You. Kristy Spena discovered McLean's motivation for writing this play which is set during the chaos and turmoil of World War II.

Sally McLean is no stranger to the spotlight. Since the tender age of 10 she has strutted her stuff on stage and on camera.

Stints on Blue Heelers, Neighbours, Totally Full Frontal and other distinguished shows helped catapult her career overseas. Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce and Nick Giannopolous are just some of the actors with whom she has starred. With her first major acting gig at age 17, it's no wonder Sally described it as "an insane time".

But wait … there's more. She studied at The Actors' Institute in London, which led to roles in British theatre, and she spent four years appearing on BBC Television, documentaries and short films.

In the late 1990's sally created her own feature film production outfit, Salmac Productions, under the patronage of respected British actor, Sir Nigel Hawthorne.

Now, once again, she has put her pen to paper and written yet another play, PS I Love You.

It follows the individual stories of 10 people caught up in the chaos and uncertainty that was World War II.

"I came from a family of soldiers going back as far as the 1700's," she said. "My father was in the army reserve and my grandfather was supposed to serve in WWII but he had an accident and couldn't serve.

"My mum also had an aunt who served in the WAAAF and I later discovered after her death that she had worked in intelligence. I didn't realize that women held these types of positions. I had watched The Sullivans and thought the women were glamorous, but I didn't realize that women had actually served."

You may think that while men were battling it out in the trenches, women were cooking, knitting and sewing, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

"Women had a strong role to play. We hear so much about what the men did but not a lot about the women."

The play specifically focuses on the homefront in Melbourne during May 1942, when the Japanese were engaged in a large sea and air battle off the coast of Townsville, which later became known as the Battle of the Coral Sea.

"This was a time of fear and insecurity. Not only did Australia have war on its doorstep, but in Melbourne a murderer was at large, assaulting and strangling women under the cover of the blackouts … Women were being stalked and killed, so it was an interesting premise to start a play."

Sally also spoke to different women who had served during the war which she described as "liberating".

"This play is a celebration, not only of the universal gift of love, but also of these amazing women, without whom Australia would not have survived the war. I attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, which is what really influenced me to write this play."

Sally spent over two months researching, but it only took her six days to write it.

"It was really interesting to explore," she said. "I had to get my head around how it would have been in those times. I read newspapers, looked at different footage and immersed myself in the period. I even listened to 40's music, and from there it flowed pretty quickly."

"I got the cast fully involved. A lot of the actors are current and previous students, so their experience ranges from a little to an extensive CV. The more experienced have encouraged the others, which I am immensely grateful for."

The talent does not stop there. Paul Hawthorne is the lighting director. "He is an amazing technician. He turns the place into a theatre."

Renowned actor, Alan Fletcher, whom soapie fans will know as Dr Karl Kennedy on Neighbours, will provide the voice of Prime Minister John Curtin.

"I've known Alan for years. When I first asked him, he was immediately interested. He is a top voice over artist, so his voice will be pre-recorded."

The play will be staged at Mt Martha House, which seemed like the perfect venue to Sally because of its association with the military during and beyond WWII.

"Mt Martha House is a great, yet unusual venue. I knew of it's history because we had performed Pegasus there. The house lends itself to that period." A display is being created for the foyer of the show with images and stories from those who were there.

"It will build up the atmosphere before people enter to see the play. We would like to hear from people interested in sharing the 1940's period who either served, or know someone who did."

Sally said the play was essentially about how life was for people during the war.

"This piece is not anti-Japanese or German, it's more about a statement of what war was like for those who served and also those left at home. It's a celebration of those things, and also recognizes that war can't kill love."

PS I Love You will be on at Mt Martha House on July 31 and August 1.