Three Tall Women

This reviewer has been involved in theatre for longer than I care to remember and the depth of talent both on and off the stage in Adelaide never ceases to amaze me. The latest offering from University of Adelaide Theatre Guild is no exception. Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize winning Three Tall Women was written shortly after the death of his mother in 1991 and is strongly autobiographical. Albee draws on his childhood that, while privileged, was devoid of a loving mother. He draws on memories of a mother who preferred horses to people and almost anyone to her adopted son. A wealthy and caustic old woman lays dying and is tended by two other women. She reminisces about the fun times of her childhood and her marriage and as her mind wanders she remembers disappointment, betrayal and unhappiness.

Albee’s script allows each woman moments to shine, and Jean Walker, Rachel Burfield and Jessica Carroll do this with ease. Walker, as the ninety year old woman with a frail body, gives a multi layered and flawless performance. Moving from a dementia addled mind to moments of clarity, her sense of frustration in her clear moments is felt throughout act one. Burfield and Carroll offer a great support in this part of the story, Carroll’s character being an uptight lawyer just needing to get a signature and Burfield the middle aged carer. Some lovely funny moments occur between Walker and Burfield as they bounce off each other.

Act two sees all three women as different incarnations of the same woman at different stages of her life - twenties, fifties and seventies. Carroll leaps from her act one uptight lawyer to the twenty something woman looking forward to a happy life ahead. She glides effortlessly into this character and takes the audience on an emotional journey as she discovers her not so happy future. Burfield, as the fifty year old, captures the emotional rollercoaster of a loveless marriage and the heartache of betrayal. She gives a passionate and, at times, heart rending performance. Walker as the seventy year old is delightful, giving insights to the other two of what lies ahead.

Under the skilful direction of Geoff Brittain, the cast work as a team and mesh superbly into the one woman. Brittain has assembled a production team that ties it altogether beautifully with an elegant and understated set design by Ole Weibken, enhanced lighting design by Scott Cleggett and stunning costumes by Gillian Cordell.

This is a must see.

Maxine Grubel