Only after she arrives do her colleagues discover the “J” stands for Jenny.

That scene, and the story it originates from, is now being pulled from the page by University of Tasmania students under the guidance of multi-award-winning Melbourne writer, director, and teacher, Chris Thompson.

The Torrents, written by Australian playwright Oriel Gray in 1955, was not professionally produced until 1996 – despite winning the Playwrights Advisory Board Prize in the year it was written.

Now, there seems to be a groundswell to recognise it, says Mr Thompson, with the Sydney Theatre Company adding the play to their 2019 program.

“What is really interesting about The Torrents is that its storylines could be happening – in fact are happening – today,” he said.

“The town’s story about goldmining depleting the environment and the lack of vision for the future sustainability of the local area, resonates with current issues about coal mining and renewable energy.”

There’s a more personal story too, one that sits alongside current discussions around the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and the often male-dominated culture of workplaces.

Mr Thompson added: “It’s fascinating (and somewhat disheartening) how the issues are not that different from those being tackled by women today.”

Katrina van Donselaar is one of the third-year School of Creative Arts students involved in the production for their graduation.

Ms van Donselaar said her character, Gwynne Thomas, takes ownership of her self and her situation during the play.

This is something the students have also done in their production, bringing Ms Gray’s unique voice off the page.

The process has made the students feel close to the script, Ms van Donselaar said, able to more closely relate to the subjects and the place in which the story occurs.

“In the play she states that she holds a mirror up to her time,” she said.

This mirror is one that also reflects our current time, according to Mr Thompson.

Under appreciated and ahead of its time, he thinks the play also shows the progress we have made on the issues woven through its narrative threads.

“It’s about how long change takes to happen,” he said.

The Torrents shows at the Annexe Theatre, Launceston from September 28 to 30, and again on October 3 and 4.

A Q&A after the showing on Saturday, September 29 will also unpack the intriguing history of the story.

Tickets are $5, available at the door and by calling 6324 4450.

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