Girls Do Gertrude

Gertrude Stein is fabulous, amazing, extraordinary not to mention the fact she spent her entire creative and personal life kicking arse. She lived without explanation or apology; whether she was being celebrated as the queen of Avant garde expressionism, alluding persecution in Nazi occupied Paris or just living quietly with her Boston wife Alice B Toklas. How many Jewish, American Lesbians (living in the 20th century) can attest to that? So what better icon to be celebrated during the Midsumma festival? Stein’s works are performed all too infrequently and the opportunity to see them recreated by forty of Melbourne’s hottest female talent including visionary directors Cheyney Caddy and Yvonne Virsik makes this the must see event of the season.

A Circular Play

Starring: Alicia Beckhurst, Zoe Boesen, Sarah Hamilton, Lucy Hotchin, Annie Last, Freya Pragt, Leila Rodgers, Chanelle Sheenan, Cate Wolfe.

Watching A Circular Play was like viewing an exquisite photograph out of context; its meaning is left entirely up to the individual’s interpretation, cast and audience alike. This made for an invigorating experience. Being non-narrative theatre it’s immaterial whether or not it’s understandable the real enjoyment is creating your own version of events. Stein wrote this piece in 1920, a time of tremendous change both politically and artistically especially for the roles of women. Hence why every single type of woman is represented and how she views her fertility, her sexuality, her relationships and her place in society. That’s my personal interpretation.

Each and every one of these beautiful dames, besides looking like they’ve been individually plucked from the era, works seamlessly together as an ensemble in addition to including some delicious solo moments. The exploration of Sapphic sensuality was particularly thick with each woman taking her turn as the seducer or submissive party. Gertrude Stein’s grasp on the English language is on par with the likes of Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward and the ladies each have near perfect diction, a trait which is becoming increasingly redundant on the modern stage. Their clarity was like a swallow’s song with some welcome touches of velvet blues. Unless you have a prior association with the performers it isn’t possible to pick them out, which is more than appropriate within in the context of the play-they are one. However there was one clear standout and that was Miss Lucy Hotchin. I don’t know whether she was intentionally meant to be a misfit within the ensemble but she bought some incredible clarity to the themes of identity. Besides bearing an uncanny resemblance to La Stein herself her voice is several registers lower than the rest and it seems like she’s actively repressing her masculine tendencies as opposed to the rest who are effortlessly feminine. Of course I may be completely off base but it made for some interesting subtext. 

Working in accordance with the onstage talent are Costume Designer Debra Hallam and Set Designer Jeminah Reidy. Reidy has created a splendid artist’s atelier which blended the elements of nature and bohemian interior design. I have a special weakness for ladies' fashions of the twenties and I nearly melted when faced with the selections and creations of Miss Hallam. She has opted for a thematic palate of pale pinks, greens and creams which are a further reflection of the feminine identities that the individuals create for themselves. 

There are several interludes of period music which showcase the vocal skills of selected members of the cast and they beautifully embody the time. Stella Skinner and Tiffani Walton accompany them on Guitar and Piano.I must extend by hearty congratulations to Cheney Caddy, this is clearly a passion project for her and it has influenced the cast and it positively radiates to the very back of the theatre.

Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters

Cast: Lauren Baily, Amelia Ducker, Ashleigh Goodison, Jennifer Innes, Lauren Ann Kempster, Tilly Legge, Andrea Mccannion, Bridget Mylecharane, Sarah Oldmeadow, Kellie Tori, Suzanne Truman. 

Play two takes on a decidedly different tone, which the fabulous and flawless Yvonne Virsik embraces with enthusiastic vigour. Written during World War 2 where Stein and Toklas lived in constant danger but survived using a combination of their wits and useful connections within the Vichy Government.

Three Sisters is staged as a melodrama performed by young girls as a simple amusement eventually becoming a darkly ironic comment on genocide and the repetition and manipulation of history. The opening sequence was absolutely thrilling; an energetic mime which became steadily more violent, it’s here that Ms Virsik’s directional skills are allowed to fully shine. I particularly enjoyed the references to war and murder. Like the previous play the text opens up to a chest full of symbolic goodies which will make for lively post-theatre conversation. 

The cast is clearly having a good time and the audience are noticeably more relaxed. Once again the collaborative process has given way to a smooth and supportive stage rapport which makes for a successful ensemble piece. They are precociously innocent as the children and were deliciously attracted to the notion of gore which became progressively more vivid. 

I understand that this mammoth achievement was realised in less than a week and as the season progresses I’m sure that the chemistry between the performers will only become closer and more electric. This was a wonderfully unique experience and I happily recommend it to all the theatre-inclined people in Melbourne who are up for something a little different. The Northcote Town Hall is a stunning venue and the creative team has used it to maximum effect.

So go and have a fabulous time and gain some insight into the mind and soul of one of the greatest icons of the 20th century.