Last night I had the pleasure of witnessing Harlots by the New Ghosts Theatre Company at the intimate Old Fitz Theatre in Woolloomooloo. It was a fantastic production by an all-female and non-binary team and cast. The show was an immersive experience, taking place in and around the audience, with the stage utilised to its maximum capacity. Directed by Janine Watson, the play sucked me into its world and spat me out again 90 minutes later.
The denigrating term ‘harlots’ has been reclaimed by writer and producer Emma Wright in this critique and love letter to Shakespeare. Having studied one Shakespeare play per year throughout my six years of high school, I was excited to see the women from his work get more time in the spotlight. The work explores what happened in the time between his female characters faking their deaths and re-emerging with their names cleared (Hermione in The Winter’s Tale and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing)… The play depicts freedom in the form of an underground society of women whose values were love and healing. How ironic that these women had to “die to live” and a hole in the ground provided more freedom than society’s shackles. The characters explore the healing powers of psychedelics and working through trauma in a supported environment. Madness and the role of violence in society are called into question, can these things be escaped or are they inherent?
Each and every one of the cast played their role sublimely. They were all equally impressive and distinct. Jo Downing’s portrayal of Beatrice was a marvel. Ella Prince was a powerful Helena; I loved their abrasive mannerisms that boycotted the idea of traditional femininity. Hannah Waterman and Megan O’Connell had incredibly complex chemistry on stage as Paulina and Hermione. ‘Ana Ika was a dreamy Ophelia and Madeleine Li’s monologue at the end of the play as Hero will be something that stays with me for a long time.
The set design (by Kate Beere) was simple yet effective, inviting us into the women’s underground world of mushrooms and rest. The costumes (by Aloma Barnes Siraswar) were beautiful and thoughtful. I loved the attention to detail of the mushrooms growing on Hero and Hermione’s dresses for their underground lives. The lighting (designed by Luna Yuet Yee Ng) and music (composed by Clare Hennessy) helped indicate villainy and different states of consciousness.
Being a Shakespeare inspired work, I was worried that I would find it hard to follow (especially after a day at work). However, the script was intelligent and engaging without being too much hard work for our 21st century technology addled brains. True to form, the script dipped between verse and prose, masterfully using iambic pentameter to challenge status. I loved the references to other canonic literature and the idea that the women that Shakespeare wrote would be well-read and learned.
The audience was captivated, with the occasional giggle at a provocative line and well-deserved, sustained applause resonating long after the cast had left the stage. I highly recommend seeing Harlots, it was an entertaining, provocative and thought-provoking exploration of some of Shakespeare’s lesser known heroines. Showing until 6 September in Sydney.
To book tickets to Harlots, please visit https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/.
Photographer: Phil Erbacher
