Lorna Bol – October 1 2017

International Day of Older Persons – October 1 2017

Lorna grew up in the back stages of Sydney theatres and has been involved in theatre all her life. She acted, directed and worked backstage at La Boite Theatre before writing her first play, Treadmill, for them in her 50s. Lorna continued writing scripts well into her 80s and is now aged in her 90s. Her plays, Treadmill and But I’m Still Here, have been studied in Australian schools and universities. Treadmill has also been turned into a film script, Ruby. Her play I Don’t Want to Die in Melbourne is her humorous comment on ageing, and has been staged by the 10-member collective of mature-aged actors, known as ‘The Forgetting of Wisdom’, who came together with the aim of creating work for the older theatre professional. Lorna’s other works include They Had to Go, Keeping Mum, A Special Place, Bed and Breakfast, The Fossil, All in the Mind and Journey to Milan. Her collaborative works include the documentary theatre piece, Happy Birthday East Timor, and three scripts exploring the theme of the Brisbane Electricity Strike and its effect on workers and local residents.

But I’m Still Here
PlaylabPress, 1987; ISBN 9780908156306
Full length; 5 female, 1 male
“… a deceptively simple piece of writing which unfolds to reveal an abundantly complex heart …. What Bol is chronicling is the tragedy of the forgotten woman. Dorrie – and there are still thousands like her – is selfless, dutiful, loyal, hardworking, loving, middle-aged and dull. She is the mother of today’s young and the daughter of today’s old and has been taught to nurture her family before herself. Everything comes too late for Dorrie – liberation, rewards, truth and even anger …. This is not a play for the large stage but one that needs the intimacy of the close-up. This feeling of intimacy accentuates the shocker of a climax. Suffice to say that the audience has the satisfaction of seeing Gran get it in the end, but this is not necessarily a win for Dorrie.” – Sue Gough, The Australian

The Big Five-O
Australian Script Centre, 2003
205 minutes; 4 female, 1 male
Wal and Vera are about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Two of their daughters are planning a surprise party – but skeletons are rattling in the family closet as lies, cover-ups and hidden emotions are about to surface …. The Big Five-O is a stormy play “about a family divided by crisis. Against a backdrop of a sweltering Brisbane summer, Lorna Bol’s play addresses modern day issues between sisters, parents and extended family members including fifty years marriage. A colourful display of relationships and emotions as Rose attempts to organize her parent’s 50th wedding celebrations”. – Villanova Players premiere