Marj Brasch

Marj Brasch
Shortland Street character
Portrayed by	Elizabeth McRae
Created by	Bettina Hollings
Introduced by	Caterina De Nave (1992) Simon Bennett (1998) Harriet Crampton (2002)
Duration	1992-96, 1998, 2002
First appearance	25 May 1992 episode 1
Last appearance	14 September 2002 episode 2591
Classification	Past; regular
Book appearances	Marj's Story - Shortland Street Books (1996)
Profile
Occupation	Politician
Family Husband Tom Neilson (1969-1993) Laurie Brasch (1994-) Sons Patrick Neilson Darryl Neilson Damian Neilson Stuart Neilson Daughters Jane Fitzgerald Stepdaughters Ruth Brasch Grandsons Robert Neilson Granddaughters Melissa Neilson Other relatives Lulu Chatfield (Foster daughter)

Marjorie 'Marj' Brasch (previously Neilson) is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Being part of the original cast, she was portrayed by Elizabeth McRae from the show's first season in 1992 up until 1996. She returned as a guest character in both 1998 and 2002. She has since become iconic as the first ever receptionist.

Storylines

1992-2002

The receptionist behind the desk at Shortland Street since its opening in 1989, Marj is shown to be heavily involved with the clinic, with loving husband Tom (Adrian Keeling) working as a paramedic. Marj is shocked when she learns son Stuart (Martin Henderson) may have fathered a child, but is relieved when she learns otherwise. In late 1992, Marj's illegitimate daughter Jane (Katherine McRae) who she adopted out at birth, makes contact, infuriating Tom.

The presence of Jane leads Tom to run away from the marriage in 1993, deeply upsetting Marj who sells the house and soon starts to date Jewish policeman Laurie (Chic Littlewood). Marj gets several leads on Tom's disappearance but finds nothing. Tom eventually shows up in November and receives a kidney from son Darryl (Mark Ferguson), but dies from a heart attack shortly afterwards. Marj reunites with Laurie.

In 1994 Marj nearly dies at the hands of Laurie, when he accidentally exposes her to dangerous chemicals. The two get over the small bump and later marry. In 1995 the two become foster parents to Stuart's friend Lulu (Meighan Desmond) and Marj is devastated when Darryl dies in a drowning accident.

Marj meets Helen Clark on the steps of parliament.

In 1996 Marj, bored of her job at Shortland Street applies for a job in Parliament. To her surprise she gets it. She and Laurie move to Wellington and she is welcomed to The Beehive by future prime ministers Helen Clark and Jenny Shipley.

In 1998 Jenny (Maggie Harper), unhappy with the health system is pleased to see Marj visiting Ferndale. Marj offers Jenny a position as her Personal Assistant to which Jenny accepts and moves down to Wellington.

Marj returns in 2002 alongside Jenny, when they attend Nick's (Karl Burnett) wedding to Waverley (Claire Chitham). Marj is shocked when Jenny retires and she offers Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield) the job, to which Rachel declines. Marj leaves shortly thereafter.

Character Development

Characterisation

Instantly upon introduction, Marj is shown to be a stern Catholic mother busybody, who loves to gossip and cares deeply for her family. She has been described as "bossy, opinionated, a terrible gossip. She was everyone's favourite Aunt, with the flapping mouth and the big heart."^[1] The character does not mind saying what she thinks, including in 1992 when she is openly hostile towards Jaki Manu who she fears has AIDS.

Comic Relief

Marj was primary comic relief in her initial storylines, so writers decided to introduce drama to the character so that the audience could connect and to further develop the character.^[2][3] This included the storyline where husband Tom went missing^[2][3] and the introduction of Marj's menacing anatagonistic son, Darryl.^[2][4]

Reception

To honour the shows 10th anniversary in May 2002, Michelle Hewitson of The New Zealand Herald voted Marj as the best character to ever appear on the show noting her multiple levels of characterisation and interesting storylines.^[1]A reviewer in 1992 enjoyed the character, saying the reception desk was; "about the only place where the makers of Shortland Street have got it right".^[1]

Viewers initially did not warm to the Marj character, but after the character was written to have "a bit of comedy and a bit of warmth", she instantly became a fan favourite.^[1] McRae herself stated that playing Marj was a highlight of her 50 year long career, stating; "It was quite a privilege to be in that initial cast because it was a breakthrough that there was at last a New Zealand soap opera that wasn't full of Australians or Americans or English."^[5]

Impact

Following the success of Marj's characterization in the original cast, the character became iconic and a archetype for later characters to come.^[6][7] Her motherly nature alongside her occupation and love of gossip, saw the character followed by numerous other similar characters that were equally as popular, including; Moira, Babara and Yvonne.^[8] The pairing of the motherly Marj and clumsy Waverley Wilson soon also became an achertype, being followed by numerous replicas including Moria and Waverley, Babara and Waverley, Yvonne and Claire and Yvonne and Bella.

When Amelia Reid was cast in the role of Bella in 2010, she compared her relationship with Yvonne to that of the iconic Marj and Waverleys.^[9]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Hewitson, Michelle (May 2002). "Shortland Street: The 10 best characters". New Zealand Herald. Fairfax Media. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=1942424. Retrieved November 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Shortland Street: The 10 best tales". The New Zealand Herald. Fairfax Media. May 2002. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=1942423. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Nikiel, Christine (May 2009). "The storyteller". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television-industry/news/article.cfm?c_id=260&objectid=10572453. Retrieved November 2009. 
4. ^ "On this day in Shortland Street history". tvnz.co.nz. Television New Zealand. November 2009. http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/day-in-history-2879285. Retrieved November 2011. 
5. ^ Thompson, Wayne (June 2006). "Queen's Birthday Honours: McRaes honoured for lifetime roles". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10385060. Retrieved November 2011. 
6. ^ "The very first episode". tvnz.co.nz. Television New Zealand. May 2005. http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tv2_minisite_story_skin/429356?format=html. Retrieved November 2011. 
7. ^ "Shortland Street's secrets". The New Zealand Herald. Fairfax Media. May 2010. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10700228. Retrieved November 2011. 
8. ^ Lang, Sarah (May 2010). "Shortie's old enough to vote". The New Zealand Herald. Fairfax Media. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television-industry/news/article.cfm?c_id=260&objectid=10646999. Retrieved November 2011. 
9. ^ Roberts, Adam (7 September 2010). "First stop Shortland St for Nelson actor". The Nelson Mail. http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/4103710/First-stop-Shortland-St-for-Nelson-actor. Retrieved 19 September 2011.