Garage Girls

Garage Girls is a fun, feisty and fantastical story about trailblazing feminist figure Alice Anderson (Madelaine Nunn). Set in the 1920s with the backdrop of a recent world war and the Spanish Flu pandemic, the play brings to life the obstacles that Anderson faced in forging a career as a mechanic and pursuing her outback adventures. Interestingly, despite its historical setting, the story has some uncanny resemblance to the present.

Nunn is magnificent as Alice. She conveys all the youthful naivety and enthusiasm that drives Alice’s ambition. She is extremely well supported by fellow cast members who breathe life into other important figures in Alice’s life. Most of the ensemble are both writers and performers and this gives them a very strong rapport with the text. It allows them to animate the story with a great deal of flair and confidence, which is a sheer pleasure to watch.

The costumes and the exuberant performance style are very evocative, and the simple set gives the cast ample space to display their energetic interpretations. The Australian ambience is always effectively created and is also well supported by lighting and sound effects. However, the stage does look somewhat sparse and would benefit from a more expanded use of props or set. 

Garage Girls may appear fanciful at times, but it is inspired by Loretta Smith’s book “A Spanner in the Works: The extraordinary story of Alice Anderson and Australia’s first all-girl garage” where she writes about Alice as a national treasure. This play is a delightful way to familiarise contemporary audiences with this fabulous tale of such a valuable Australian feminist icon. 

Patricia Di Risio 

Photographer: Darren Gill