WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH MARY JANE?
BY WENDY HARMER WITH SANCIA ROBINSON
MARCH 2005 | TOURED 18 TASMANIAN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
Discussing eating disorders with teenagers is tricky business. Mudlark's first show toured the state - going into highschools and communities - talking about this issue through the deftly clever and velvetly brutal What is the Matter With Mary Jane? by Wendy Harmer.
“I found the play very interesting & helpful. It actually helped some of my friends realise what they might end up going through if they keep eating the way they were.” 14yo female, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart
“I’m really happy that someone’s actually done a play about this. I am a recovering bulimic & am glad to know my frineds now know it’s not a physical problem but a mental one" 15yo female, Mount Carmel College, Hobart
“It made me realise that it sux being like that. I liked it. Well done.” 12yo male, Sheffield District High
“My best friend, male 15, was in hospital last year with anorexia so this was a very raw topic for me & helped explain why for me." 15yo female, Mount Carmel College, Hobart
“This was an incredible honest view on [eating] disorders and really gave me a personal view on it.” 14yo female, Launceston Church Grammar School
“One of my friends was going on a diet, and after the play she said she would stop because she can see what she could do to herself.”13yo female, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart
“I have been very conscious of my weight for a long time, and now I see it’s wrong to do that to myself” 17yo female, Launceston College
“It was very good but it was a bit confronting cause I’m in the same boat.” 16yo female, Launceston College
“Loved the dark humour and the lead character did an awesome job! No negative points.” 16yo male, Hellyer College,, Burnie
“It, meaning the play, does really well to get people thinking ‘do I do that?’” 13yo female, Lilydale District High
“Very interesting but sickening throwing food in the dunny.” 12yo female, Campbell Town District High
“Can you like give some food out like next time plz?” 13yo male, Flinders Island District High
“I enjoyed it! It got us out of maths!” 14yo, Mount Carmel College, Hobart
“I really appreciate the lighting & timing of the phone – that was cool! The acting and emotional performance from Jane was eye-opening.” 15yo female, Mount Carmel College, Hobart
“It was really great that eating disorders was confronted in a manner that kept my attention and was entertaining and raised awareness at the same time. I found it personally quite thought provoking. Thank you for coming to teach us about the dangers of eating disorders and negative body image in a way so we actually listened.” 15yo female, Marist Regional College, Burnie
PLAYWRIGHT WENDY HARMER
DIRECTOR & DESIGNER CARRIE MCLEAN
MARY JANE JANE JOHNSON
PRODUCTION/STAGE MANAGER CARRIE MCLEAN
BY WENDY HARMER WITH SANCIA ROBINSON
MARCH 2005 | TOURED 18 TASMANIAN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
Discussing eating disorders with teenagers is tricky business. Mudlark's first show toured the state - going into highschools and communities - talking about this issue through the deftly clever and velvetly brutal What is the Matter With Mary Jane? by Wendy Harmer.
“I found the play very interesting & helpful. It actually helped some of my friends realise what they might end up going through if they keep eating the way they were.” 14yo female, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart
“I’m really happy that someone’s actually done a play about this. I am a recovering bulimic & am glad to know my frineds now know it’s not a physical problem but a mental one" 15yo female, Mount Carmel College, Hobart
“It made me realise that it sux being like that. I liked it. Well done.” 12yo male, Sheffield District High
“My best friend, male 15, was in hospital last year with anorexia so this was a very raw topic for me & helped explain why for me." 15yo female, Mount Carmel College, Hobart
“This was an incredible honest view on [eating] disorders and really gave me a personal view on it.” 14yo female, Launceston Church Grammar School
“One of my friends was going on a diet, and after the play she said she would stop because she can see what she could do to herself.”13yo female, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart
“I have been very conscious of my weight for a long time, and now I see it’s wrong to do that to myself” 17yo female, Launceston College
“It was very good but it was a bit confronting cause I’m in the same boat.” 16yo female, Launceston College
“Loved the dark humour and the lead character did an awesome job! No negative points.” 16yo male, Hellyer College,, Burnie
“It, meaning the play, does really well to get people thinking ‘do I do that?’” 13yo female, Lilydale District High
“Very interesting but sickening throwing food in the dunny.” 12yo female, Campbell Town District High
“Can you like give some food out like next time plz?” 13yo male, Flinders Island District High
“I enjoyed it! It got us out of maths!” 14yo, Mount Carmel College, Hobart
“I really appreciate the lighting & timing of the phone – that was cool! The acting and emotional performance from Jane was eye-opening.” 15yo female, Mount Carmel College, Hobart
“It was really great that eating disorders was confronted in a manner that kept my attention and was entertaining and raised awareness at the same time. I found it personally quite thought provoking. Thank you for coming to teach us about the dangers of eating disorders and negative body image in a way so we actually listened.” 15yo female, Marist Regional College, Burnie
PLAYWRIGHT WENDY HARMER
DIRECTOR & DESIGNER CARRIE MCLEAN
MARY JANE JANE JOHNSON
PRODUCTION/STAGE MANAGER CARRIE MCLEAN
What is the Matter With Mary Jane? was supported by the Minister of the Arts, through Arts Tasmania.
What is the Matter With Mary Jane? was supported through the generosity of IGA Supermarkets.
What is the Matter With Mary Jane? was supported through the generosity of IGA Supermarkets.
