Ray Lawler facts for kids

A metal plaque set in the sidewalk at Circular Quay in Sydney commemorating author Ray Lawler as part of the Sydney Writers Walk.

Raymond Evenor Lawler (born May 23, 1921 – died July 24, 2024) was a very important Australian writer for the theatre. He was a playwright (someone who writes plays) and an actor (someone who performs in plays). He also helped put plays on stage as a producer and director.

His most famous play is called Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. It first showed in Melbourne in 1955. This play was special because it changed how Australian stories were told on stage. Many people think it's one of the best Australian plays ever.

Later, in 1959, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll was even made into a movie. Famous actors like Angela Lansbury and Ernest Borgnine starred in it. Ray Lawler also wrote two other plays: Kid's Stakes and Other Times. These plays tell earlier parts of the story with the same characters.

Growing Up in Melbourne

Ray Lawler was born in Footscray, a part of Melbourne, Australia, on May 23, 1921. He was one of eight children. His father worked for the local council.

Ray left school when he was 13 years old to work in a factory. But he loved acting! So, he went to acting classes in the evenings. He wrote his very first play when he was 19. One of his early plays, Hal's Belles, was well-received in 1946. People said it was "easy to stage" and a "slick, finished work."

A Career in Theatre

Ray Lawler first became known as a writer in 1952. His play Cradle of Thunder was shown in a competition. Then, in 1955, his play Summer of the Seventeenth Doll won a big prize!

The Famous Play: Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

This play was first performed by the Union Theatre in Melbourne. Ray Lawler even acted in it himself, playing the character Barney. The play became very popular. It was shown all over Australia, and then in London and New York!

In 1957, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll won an important award in London. It was called the Evening Standard Award for the best new play. Since then, the play has been translated into many languages. People have performed it in lots of different countries. It was also made into a movie in 1959.

More Plays and TV Work

After his big success, Ray Lawler moved to London with the play's cast. He lived in different countries like Denmark, England, and Ireland for a while. He continued to write more plays. These included The Piccadilly Bushman (1959) and The Unshaven Cheek (1963).

He also worked on television. In 1969, he helped turn a short story into a TV series. He visited Australia in 1972 for a play called The Man Who Shot the Albatross. This play was about the famous story of Governor Bligh.

In 1975, Ray Lawler came back to live in Australia. He became a director at the Melbourne Theatre Company. He also agreed to write two more plays that would connect to Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. These plays were Kid's Stakes (1975) and Other Times (1976). Together, these three plays are known as The Doll Trilogy. They were all performed together for the first time in 1977.

Family Life and Later Years

Ray Lawler married an actress named Jacklyn Kelleher in 1956. They had three children together. Their twin sons, Adam and Martin, were born in London in 1957. Later, they had a daughter named Kylie.

Ray Lawler lived a very long life. He celebrated his 100th birthday in May 2021. He passed away in Melbourne on July 24, 2024, when he was 103 years old.

Awards and Recognition

Ray Lawler received many important awards for his work in theatre. In 1981, he was given the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was to recognize his great contributions to acting and writing plays.

In 2022, he received an even higher honor. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This award recognized his "distinguished service" as an actor, playwright, and director. It showed how much he had helped the performing arts in Australia.

To remember his amazing work, a theatre space in Melbourne is named after him. It's called The Lawler, and it's part of the Southbank Theatre.

Ray Lawler's Plays

Here are some of the plays Ray Lawler wrote for the stage:

• Cradle of Thunder (1949)
• The Bluff and the Fair (1952)
• The Adventures of Ginger Meggs (1952) - a musical for children!
• Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (1955) - his most famous play
• The Piccadilly Bushman (1959)
• The Unshaven Cheek (1963)
• A Breach in the Wall (1970)
• The Man Who Shot the Albatross (1971)
• Kid's Stakes (1975) - part of The Doll Trilogy
• Other Times (1976) - also part of The Doll Trilogy
• Godsend (1982)