By Francis Shoolman
A passion for the "forgotten diggers" that has been stirring Lorrae Desmond's heartstrings ever since the Vietnam War culminated October 2007 when her play Honey was staged at Riverside Theatres Parramatta NSW.
The legendary Australian stage, screen and TV star based her musical on Bryce Courtney's book, Smoky Joe's Cafe, which Lorrae read in 2001, and had an immediate connection with events she saw in Vietnam in her five tours of the American and Allied war zones between 1967 and 1971.
Lorrae became known as the "blonde goddess in the golden dress" by the troops. Bryce Courtney's book with its background of 1970s political unrest and its colourful characters had a huge impact on Lorrae. She was overjoyed when he allowed her and a production team to turn it into a play with music (lyrics also by Lorrae) and renamed it Honey.
The story is about Thommo who, on his return from Vietnam, finds nothing is the same. Like so many of his mates he can't settle back in civilian life. His fairy-tale marriage to Wendy is turning grim and his little girl needs a bone-marrow transplant. Only some unconventional intervention from his mates and an ex-Viet Cong with "special skills" can turn things around. Passionate men hell-bent on justice, these larrikins work an intricate, if not entirely legal, scheme to raise money to help out.
Lorrae inherited her adventurous spirit from her rural pioneer stock. In her teens she went alone to London to embark on a singer/stage career carrying only two glam dresses and list of goals. It took her seven years, but resulted in Meet Lorrae Desmond on BBC TV, Swing Along With Lorrae and other shows, as well as being a guest, playing in pantomime and variety and recordings for top studios. She wrote and performed in cabarets with major stars such as Terry Thomas.
She began commuting between London and home with stopover shows. She won a Gold Logie for her show on Australian TV and many other highlights included being a guest artist on Jack Benny shows in Australia.
Then came her role as Shirley Gilroy on TV series A Country Practice - the show ran for 10 years and was seen in 37 countries.
Tours in High Society, recognition in Legends In Cabaret, a one-woman show, and promoting the Sydney Paralympics all added to a career that now finds Lorrae absorbed with her great labour of a lifetime, the play Honey.