More than 50 years after its publication, Picnic at Hanging Rock continues to fascinate audiences, and this month, Act 1 Theatre will bring the enduring mystery to the local stage.
Directed by Michelle Whitmore, the theatrical production is Tom Wright’s adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s classic novel about three schoolgirls and a teacher who mysteriously disappear during a picnic in 1900.
Michelle said her fascination with Picnic at Hanging Rock began as a child, sitting in the backseat of her parents’ car at the drive-in.
“I was probably too young to understand it, but the eerie music and haunting atmosphere stayed with me,” she said. “When the opportunity came, I thought I was too old to play a lead, so why not direct it? Then I opened Tom Wright’s adaptation and thought, what the heck have I bitten off? But its mystery, theatricality and challenge drew me in, and I couldn’t resist bringing this haunting story to life in my own way.”
She said audiences may be surprised to see how different the adaptation is from the well-known film.
“It’s not simply the story transferred onto a stage – it’s fragmented, unpredictable and open to interpretation,” she said.
“We’ve given the girls freedom to explore their own creativity, added a modern-day twist, and allowed the story to unravel in ways you might not expect.”
Cast Explores Complex Worlds and Iconic Australian Characters
Cast members include Cheney Hossack, Rebekah Nicholls, Briony McCullough, Liliana Zele, and Renee Thomas.
Liliana said the most exciting part of the production has been “the opportunity to play multiple characters and immerse myself into their complex inner worlds, exploring what each of them secretly desires.”
For Cheney, it is “getting to delve deeper into the story and really explore the minds of these iconic Australian characters”, while Briony described her experience as “exploring the Australian wilderness and mystery of the story through the lens of multiple different characters”.
According to Renee, the most exciting part has been “stepping into this beautiful but unsettling world of mystery,” with Rebekah saying she has “loved working with the cast to explore and delve into the wonder of this classic Australian story.”
Michelle said it was both a privilege and responsibility to bring a classic Australian story to life.
“I do hope this fresh staging honours the original while unsettling what audiences think they already know,” she said.
“Rather than offering definitive answers, I want the production to open a space for doubt, reflection and competing interpretations, so that audiences leave with more questions than certainty.
“You may think you know Picnic at Hanging Rock – but you might be surprised by what you discover.”
Picnic at Hanging Rock
- 2 October – 18 October
- Act 1 Theatre (Old Shire Hall)
- 238 Gympie Road, Strathpine
- Get tickets here.
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- Organic Gardening in October
- Fish of the Month: Fringefin Trevally
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- Double the Days, Double the Vibes at Pasifika Festival
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