I’m With Her

After some criticism a number of years ago, Sydney’s Darlinghurst Theatre Company has focused on increasing the number of women’s voices on stage. This new Australian play does that with full force - it’s created solely by women and is entirely about women. It hits the mark too.

“I’m With Her” was the slogan for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Documentary maker Victoria Midwinter Pitt and her creative team were quick to jump on that irony. The show’s name highlights their irreverent approach to telling the real-life stories of nine notable Australian women. Let’s laugh - but also give a big middle finger to the oppression that continues today, despite the many advances in gender equality.

The best-known story told here is that of Julia Gillard, which focuses on how she wants to be remembered as Prime Minister. In many ways, it’s the least interesting of the lot, in part because it’s so familiar but also due to its political nature.

Among the other, more compelling stories are those of world champion surfer Pam Burridge, academic Professor Marcia Langton, environmental scientist Dr Marion Blackwell and bartender Nikki Keating, who spoke out about sexual harassment in the hospitality industry.

Midwinter Pitt has spent time with all of the featured women and collaborated with other writers to weave together a series of monologues with some other lively scenes, where the women get to interact. These additional scenes are among the best, adding variety and pace to a long show of close to three hours.

Five actors give powerhouse performances - Gabrielle Chan, Shakira Clanton, Lynette Curran, Deborah Galanos and Emily Havea. Clanton stands out in the way she gives nuance to Burridge and Langton. Like all the actors, she has a lot of lines but her brilliant timing and powerful delivery shine through.

This is an important show that’s well-conceived and well-acted. It cleverly acknowledges one of its key challenges - to reach an audience that includes men, as well as women. There’s a lot for everyone in this piece but it would be stronger if it also reached across the political divide. It’s not just men who could feel excluded but less progressive women as well.

I’m With Her is a remarkable piece of theatre. On opening night, it earned a standing ovation from an appreciative crowd already on board with its key ideas. Hopefully its important message can connect with a broader audience too.

Peter Gotting

Photographer: Robert Catto