Have you ever watched a show and walked out realising your face hurts from smiling and laughing? That’s Fly Girl. Two hours of laughs, charm, and pure Aussie heart. A serious story that could have been a courtroom slog, instead soars with distinctly Aussie humour. It’s a rip-roaring slice of nostalgia, celebrating the courage, cleverness, and pluck of women who refused to stay grounded.

Revisiting the days of rampant sexism shows just how trailblazing Deb Lawrie really was. Women in the late ’70s were expected to smile, fluff pillows, light cigarettes, and stay out of the cockpit, while the aviation world was dominated by men, ego, and rigid hierarchy. Lawrie dared to cross the line simply by wanting what every mediocre man took for granted- but she had to do it better, harder, and stronger. Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore’s brand-new play brings this remarkable story to life with quicksilver scenes and sparkling dialogue, already set to become a theatre favourite.

Director Janine Watson keeps the pace electric, with laughs coming thick and fast in short, punchy bursts throughout Deborah’s journey. The setting of the burnt-orange airport terminal, with its clashing carpet, is both the limbo and launchpad for her unstoppable ambition. The old-school flight departure board charts her path from her euphoric first solo flight to inevitable victory, marking the first steps in overturning the patriarchy. The 70’s soundtrack is packed with cheeky nods to flying hits like Spirit in the Sky, Hang On, Help Is On Its Way, and Magic (by Pilot – get it ?) and punctuates the action and themes perfectly, reminding us that this was a time of big change and bold voices.

Cleo Meinck radiates as Deb Lawrie – all fire, focus, and fierce conviction. She captures not just the woman who wanted to fly but the fighter who refused to be told she couldn’t. Playing a real person, especially one still living, is no easy feat, but Meinck channels Deborah’s conviction, self-awareness, and strength. Alex Kirwan plays her partner Peter, the “man behind the woman, confronting the men ” who are keeping her down. Kirwan finds the delicate balance between being supportive and frustrated as their fragile marriage strains under a year-long court case and appeal process.

The rest of this tight ensemble are experts at clowning, keeping the satirical, tongue-in-cheek energy light, but pointed and utterly delicious. Genevieve Hegney, Catherine Moore, Emma Palmer and Alex Kirwan spin through a dizzying carousel of characters from peppy stewardesses and family members to Reg Ansett himself, with precision, seamlessly switching props, costumes, and accents. The gender swaps soften the serious themes while highlighting just how dreadful some men really were along with the ridiculousness of sexism. Lawrie’s first interview with Ansett perfectly captures this absurdity – instead of questions about her flying, she was grilled on earrings, periods, babies and marriage. On opening night there were moments of sheer hilarity with improvisational genius, rogue moustaches, brilliant pauses, and perfectly timed jabs.

The real Deborah Lawrie was in the audience that night, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it felt like for her to see the battles she fought and the barriers she broke celebrated on stage. There was every generation of woman in the audience, some who had lived this story in their own way and others still battling it in one form or another. Seeing her achievements brought to life with laughter, colour, and infectious spirit felt like a collective thank-you. Yet, as the stage Deb reminds us, she didn’t do it to start a cause; she did it because she just wanted to fly the big jets.The bigger the better. She rightfully thought of herself first, but in doing so, she changed the rules for everyone else.

From take-off to landing, Fly Girl is an immediate classic. Packed with underdog charm and sharp humour, it transforms a serious story about sexism and discrimination in aviation into something lively, poignant, and utterly Aussie. It’s such an important turning point in our history, showing both the courage it took and how far women have come – and how far they have yet to go. So hop on board and fasten your seatbelt – laughter, legacy, and pure joy await. Don’t miss this flight!

Fly Girl runs from 17 Oct – 22 Nov 2025 at the Ensemble Theatre . For details see: https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/fly-girl/

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