The Set is a 1970 Australian drama film directed by Frank Brittain and produced by David Hannay and adapted from the unpublished novel by Roger Ward. The film depicts homosexuality in Australia, and was the first feature film in Australia to have homosexuality as a main theme. Plot Paul Lawrence is a working-class man who dates Cara, sells shirts at a Sydney department store, and dreams of attending art school. Cara leaves for London and Paul becomes the protege of designer Marie Rosefield. Through this he enters the 'set', the world of Sydney art society. Rosefield is friends with Mark Bronoski, an artist who commissions Paul to design a set for British stage director, John L. Fredericks. Paul is helped by art student Tony Brown, who is dating Paul's cousin, Kim Sylvester. Paul and Tony begin a homosexual affair. Kim's mother Peggy has an affair with Boronoski. Paul and Tony break up and Paul attempts suicide. He is reunited with Cara. Cast Production The script was based on an unpublished novel, written during the sixties, by Australian actor Roger Ward. It was based on diaries he had kept since 1954 reflecting on sexual mores in Australia. The original title of the novel was 'You can never please a people' and was based on Ward's experience in the theatrical world, using the lives of friends of his and his own experiences as a basis. Indeed, the character of John L. Fredericks was based on Sir Robert Helpmann. The actor who played him, Michael Charnley, when told who he was playing, said "My God, I haven't seen Bobby since he lifted me in Swan Lake!". Ward showed the manuscript to Ed Devereaux who suggested Ward take it to American producer Frank Brittain, who had just made Journey Out of Darkness (1967) and wanted to direct Australian films. Brittain asked Ward to rewrite the material and emphasise the homosexual content. It had not been Ward's goal to have the film made with an emphasis on the gay elements of the story. The original novel was not intended as a gay novel per se, but depicted gay characters as part of wider everyday life. It was the producer's 24-year-old third wife, Dianne Brittain, who upon reading the book pertaining to the purchase of film rights,noted the presence of homosexual characters and told Brittain he would have to buy it as "This guy describes two