ANVAM Deputy Director, Kat Baldwin, stars in Malvern Theatre Company’s season two production of ‘A Happy and Holy Occasion’, written by John O’Donoghue.

It is February 1942, and tonight is a very happy and holy occasion. Tomorrow, young Christy will travel to Sydney to begin his studies for the priesthood. The O’Mahon family, proud Irish-Australians, throw a small party of farewell, with lamingtons and sing-alongs. But faith and duty can be heavy burdens, and the news of the war is increasingly grim – the family is forced to confront difficult truths.

Malvern Theatre Company is pleased to revive this classic Australian play. A joyous celebration of Irish-Australian humour and resilience, a study of faith and friendships, a drama of a family at pressure-point, ‘A Happy and Holy Occasion’ is a bitter-sweet portrait of a vanished Australia.