8 Women

Thanks to the generosity of Old Mill Theatre, Playlovers have taken to the stage once more, with their rendition of the French black comedy, 8 Women. A Western Australian premiere, this adaptation of the 70-year-old French play was originally performed in Canberra, and thanks to Stage Whispers came to the attention of Director Paul Treasure, who has searched for many years for an English version of this play.

Playing on a very elegant set designed by Wayne Harring, featuring a print of Toulouse-Lautrec’s Ambassadeurs, we have an immediate sense of French luxury. Colleen Johnson’s costumes gave a fifties feel, and were well chosen for character, if not always for time of day. Virginia Moore-Price’s lighting design gave a sense of passing time, and some nice surprises.

When Marcel is found dead in bed, a knife in his back and covered in blood, the eight women in his life come to the realization that the murderer must be one of them. A whodunnit with a difference, this production features some of Perth’s finest actresses.

Fiona Blakely is both elegant and excellent as wife Gaby, the centre of this family circle - anchoring the production well. Kate O’Sullivan inhabits her oldest daughter Suzon with expertise - educated, intelligent and independent. Younger daughter Catherine is played by Emilia Lawonski with great animation and a sense of ADHD, in a highly energetic performance.

Also living in the house are Gaby’s elderly mother, known as Granny, and hypochondriac sister Augustine. Played by Lis Hoffman and Jenny Howard, both become audience favourites, with Jenny frequently stealing scenes as the over-emotional Augustine.

Longtime savant Mme Chanel is played with depth and a great sense of relationship by Jess Lally, with Ruhama Rowe leaning into the flightiness of new employee Louise.

Emily Howe completes the cast with power as Marcel’s wayward sister Pierette.

Great to see a quality production featuring an all-female cast, and fabulous to see a WA Premiere - even 70 years after it was written. Well worth a look.

Kimberley Shaw