Alana’s Score: 4 /5 stars
Wednesday night saw the world premiere of I’m With Her, Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s first ever commissioned work. It signifies an important step for the culture of our country and a welcomed affirmation of solidarity in the face of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
Director and writer Victoria Midwinter Pitt was witness to over 100 stories from women of all walks of life for this show. In the end, nine were curated for the final version of the script. Some of these extraordinary women you will have heard of, and some you won’t. But all of their stories will ring true on some level or other if you’re a woman in today’s world.
A fantastic cast of 5 have been given the task of telling these tales. Dressed in white and sitting in a half-moon formation on the stage, these women passionately present the incredible (and mostly unheard) stories of nine Australian women, from a bartender and a Prime Minister, to world champion athletes and a Catholic nun.
Shakira Clanton is a powerhouse as pro surfer Pam Burridge and Professor Marica Langton, and Lynette Curran is an endearing Dr. Marion Blackwell (environmental scientist). Emily Havea has an infectious energy on stage (even when she isn’t speaking), and does the vivacious AFL champion footballer Erin Phillips proud. Gabrielle Chan is a warm and surprisingly funny presence as the formidable Sister Patricia Madigan. Stepping in after an actor had to pull out last minute is the wonderful Deborah Galanos, with two powerful performances as Prime Minister Julia Gillard and counter terrorism expert Dr. Anne Aly.
Some aspects verge on triggering and can be hard to hear, but all are important listening, and all deserve to be heard. You’ll hear stories that you probably know, like the origin of Julia Gillard’s misogyny speech, and you’ll also hear plenty of tales you didn’t know. But if you’re a woman, the more you listen, the more you’ll realise that none of this is unfamiliar. And, like me, you might be hit with the stark realisation that there will always, always be more stories to tell. You probably even have your own.
For me, I’m With Her is equal parts inspiring and disheartening. It truly is incredible to hear these stories of women who have survived, and thrived, and come out the other side of the abuse, violence, sexism, harassment and assault that they have been victims of and witnesses to. I hope I can be one of them one day, on the other side of my experiences, the better and stronger for it.
But at the same time, as I looked around me on opening night, I didn’t really need to be there. I have heard these stories a hundred times over, from my own girlfriends, my family, or strangers in bathrooms. And I have told my own story to my girlfriends, my family and strangers in bathrooms. Women aren’t the ones who need to hear this. Maybe if we told men they’d get a 20% discount on ticket prices, they’d consider coming along…
Audio-visual design by Mia Holton keeps things interesting for the eye, with vivid projections on the wall behind the actors, including now-and-then pictures of the real-life women whose stories are being told.
Hopefully a few technical difficulties with what presumably is the teleprompt downstage centre will be ironed out in the coming nights – a couple of the actors had to endure awkward pauses while the words on the screen caught up with them.
The stories you’ll hear are breathtaking in their truth, and they’re astonishingly performed with honesty, integrity and sensitivity. But it was difficult for me not to be overwhelmed by the sheer breadth of ground we still need to cover in order for these stories not to be normal. It’s horrifying to think that every woman who watches will sit there nodding knowingly at one aspect or another of what’s being said. That is not okay. Time is up on this oppressive, abusive, sexist, misogynistic, possessive, patriarchal bullshit.
I’m With Her allows women to galvanise each other and prove that we’re not alone. But it also displays just how far we’ve still got to go. Putting this production on is a big step in the right direction, but we cannot sit on our laurels. I implore you – encourage every man you know to go and see this show. Because until they know the impact that their oppression has had, and continues to have, on us, they won’t be able to truthfully say, “I’m with her.”
Alana Kaye – Theatre Now
Photo Credit: Robert Catto
I’m With Her
Director And Lead Writer Victoria Midwinter Pitt
9 Nov – 1 Dec 2019
Tuesday – Saturday: 7.30pm
Sunday: 5pm
11am Matinees: 20 & 27 November
3pm Matinees: 16, 23 & 30 November
Venue: Eternity Theatre
Theatre Company: Darlinghurst Theatre
Duration: N/A
A manifesto for equality.
I’m With Her is a celebration of the dark art of counter-attack, generously shared by some of Australia’s smartest, funniest and most thoughtful female voices.
‘Every great social justice movement has started with … people sitting in a circle, telling their personal stories that they think only happen to them … and realizing that if it’s happening to all these unique people, it’s political.’ – Gloria Steinem
This is what #MeToo and Time’s Up have been about – that it’s not just me, it’s all of us. It’s political.
Told from the true stories of ordinary and extraordinary women, I’m With Her uncovers the brave, ingenious and darkly funny ways women have survived, outlasted, outwitted and outmuscled the patriarchy.
In this practical manifesto, I’m With Her seeks to provide an answer to “what’s next?” – to help navigate the journey to equality in a fiercely shifting landscape.
Led by award-winning documentary filmmaker and writer Victoria Midwinter Pitt (Afghanistan: Inside Australia’s War, Leaky Boat, Rampant: How a City Stopped a Plague), I’m With Her shares exquisite accounts by women for everyone.
“Some are small, private victories, some are very public triumphs, but when we piece them together, they tell us something really interesting. We’ve seen the wider fabric of the dreaded patriarchy. This show is about the wider fabric of the strengths it has taken us to keep fighting it: wit, guts, guile, acute emotional intelligence, and a very healthy appetite for counter-attack. That sounds to me like the beginning of a practical manifesto for #What’s Next.” – Victoria Midwinter Pitt.
A World Premiere
Director & Lead Writer
Victoria Midwinter Pitt
Contributing Writers
Katie Beckett
Hannah Carrol Chapman
Arielle Cottingham
Michele Lee
Suzy Wrong
*This listing is updated as cast and creatives are confirmed in the lead up to the production.*
Ticket Prices
Standard: $59
Senior: $54
Concession*: $46
Industry/Under 30**: $46
Groups 8+: $54
Preview: $46
School Students: $28
Booking Fees: There will be a $4.00 fee per transaction.
*Proof of concession required at Box Office
**Available Tue, Wed & Thu only
I saw this play on Sunday this week and I am an older Australian woman who worked in a mans world until I was 67, good position etc but still faced a lot of what was described in this play I was just glued to the whole performance. I still remember at the tender age of 32 getting my high profile position in those days for a women, being congratulated by the GM and then told “there is a glass ceiling here though do not forget” I was astounded but needed the position, so glad things have changed but thank heavens had started before I did finally retire.
The actresses you chose were just great in their roles. More of this sort of thing please.
Comments are closed.