Ms Julie Gabler: Trapped is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Othello, set in a modern Australian household with a diverse cast of intense characters.
Handled with an unapologetic honesty, the two act play explores the power dynamic between an interracial, heterosexual couple, delving into unflinching portrayals of domestic abuse and generational racial trauma.
All the characters in the play are professional actors who structure their lives around their love of theatre. The tone of the play is instantly set in the first scene when, while rehearsing for an audition for Othello, Robert actually attempts to choke out his partner Julie, causing her to knee him in the groin to break free. Tensions rise rapidly when Julie receives that role of Desdemona but their friend Mal receives the role of Othello instead of Robert, causing Rob to spiral into a violent rage fuelled by jealousy and paranoia.
Julie, portrayed by Ruth Gilmour, brilliantly expresses the trials of a woman trapped in a bad situation, through sobbing, bribing and desperate pleas towards her partner. Her moments of silence and stillness where Julie has completely emotionally detached herself truly evokes the pain experienced by an unfortunately rising number of women in this country. Gilmour’s role is beautifully balanced by Lenny Cullen Gorman who brings a touch of lightheartedness to his scenes while still maintaining the importance of the messages he is portraying.
However the atmosphere of the entire production is dictated by Sermsah Bin Saad who plays Robert. His erratic, almost constant presence leaves audience members feeling edgy and unsafe, an experience that is amplified by the live soundscape being created in front of them by Cansu Ceren Gonen, Terry Novel and Zac Rose.
Set on a single minimalistic set, the brutal nature of this play and its unflinching portrayal of domestic abuse is sure to linger in the minds of audience members, long after the final curtain.
To book tickets to Ms Julie Gabler: Trapped, please visit https://www.theatreworks.org.au/2025/ms-julie-gabler.
