Monday 23 September 2024
Alex Theatre, St Kilda
The Society welcomed internationally acclaimed Australian playwright Suzie Miller back to St Kilda for an evening of conversation with local journalist and filmmaker Marianne Latham.
Suzie reflected on her career as a playwright and her experiences growing up in St Kilda, including memories of her extended family in Westbury Grove, East St Kilda. She also discussed the role of her mother, Elaine Miller, who became the first woman Mayor of the City of St Kilda in 1982.
The conversation explored Suzie's internationally successful play Prima Facie, which tells the story of a young barrister whose perspective changes after becoming the victim of sexual assault. Members also heard about the play's success in London's West End, its publication as a novel, and its development as a feature film.
Suzie also spoke about RGB: Of Many, One, her play about United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and reflected on her transition from a career as a criminal defence lawyer working in the human rights sector to becoming a full-time playwright.
The evening concluded with an audience question-and-answer session, and attendees had the opportunity to purchase copies of Prima Facie.
Speakers
Suzie Miller is an internationally acclaimed Australian playwright whose works include Prima Facie and RGB: Of Many, One. Before moving to London in 2010 to pursue theatre writing full-time, she worked as a criminal defence lawyer in the human rights sector. Her experiences working with survivors of sexual assault have informed much of her writing.
Marianne Latham is a local journalist and filmmaker who hosted the conversation, guiding a discussion on Suzie's career, achievements and memories of growing up in St Kilda.