Year 11 HSC Drama Students Gain Insights from Playwright Jane Harrison: Exploring The Visitors

Our Year 11 HSC Drama students have kicked off their exploration of Australian Drama and Theatre with a bang, diving headfirst into Contemporary Australian Theatre Practice. In this dynamic unit, students aren’t just reading – they’re bringing to life two captivating plays: The Visitors by Jane Harrison and Neighbourhood Watch by Lally Katz.

The Visitors is no ordinary history lesson. It reimagines the British landing at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788, but from a fresh, powerful (Indigenous) perspective. On this sweltering day, seven clan leaders gather on a sandstone escarpment overlooking the harbour. Beyond the friendly banter, protocols, and hospitality, a momentous decision is waiting to be made. The attendees, six of them Elders and one new initiate, catch-up, laugh together, share a meal and compare notes. Once the welcoming procedures are complete, the group gets down to business: what to do about the fleet of giant ‘nowee’ that have appeared on the horizon and are drawing closer to shore? Who are these newcomers? Should they be welcomed, sent packing, or something more? After all, aren’t visitors meant to leave?

Adding even more excitement to this unit, on Thursday 20 November, our students scored an exclusive chance to meet Jane Harrison herself (via teams)! Jane pulled back the curtain on her creative process, delved into the heart of her characters, and unpacked the powerful issues and motifs woven through her play. Students fired off insightful questions, sparking a lively discussion that took their understanding of the play to a whole new level. It’s been a truly engaging start to the unit – full of inspiration, curiosity, and important conversations.

‘It was simply amazing to be able to talk the writer of “The Visitors”. The experience gave me some incredible insight into the workings, characters, and productions of the play that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to get. Jane was so knowledgeable, and the experience was highly valuable and provided me with a much deeper understanding of the play.’
– Erin Barrett (Year 11)

‘Meeting Jane Harrison was such an incredible experience; hearing her speak about “The Visitors” gave me a whole new appreciation for its complexity and humour. I loved learning how she balances historical truth with dramatic storytelling. It made me even more excited to keep working with the play.’
– Zoë Andrews (Year 11)

‘HSC drama had the thrilling opportunity to speak with Jane Harrison, playwright of The Visitors, a play that has had various successful seasons across Australia, and is currently on its way to New York! This contributed to our HSC studies of Contemporary Australian Theatre Practice, as The Visitors has become a monumental piece of modern Australian theatre, contributing to the retelling of first contact. My favourite takeaway from this was Jane’s understanding that “stories tell us who we are, they tell us what we believe in, and what we think and feel.” Our class is wildly grateful for this opportunity to engage with such an admirable Australian playwright!’
– Seraphine McNamara (Year 11)

– Alisha Vigna
Teacher, Drama