Bombshells

I’m still undecided who was the star of this piece, performer Christen O’Leary or playwright Joanna Murray-Smith who challenged her with six real women across the age spectrum, with individual personalities, psyches and emotional responses. The dynamic little singer/actor/dancer invested each with every shred of talent she had.

Initially she captivated us with angst-ridden mother, Meryl who was bombarded with advice and criticisms from peers, parenting books, radio shows, TV and the social network. Expectations of mothers today have never been greater. 

Then we met poor recently-divorced Tiggy who sublimates her frustrations by nurturing cacti; competitive teenager Mary, inspired by entertainment ‘idol’ programmes, who is desperate to win at the school concert level; about-to-be-married Theresa luxuriating in wild fantasies of marriage that alternate with realisations of all she will be losing; widow Winsome, living in a retirement village with friends in similar situations ─ lifestyles that would resonate with at least part of the audience; and Zoe, entertainer with a huge reputation but no longer coping with the expectations of her. (How many stars like this have we seen recently?)

Take a bow director Wesley Enoch; Simone Romaniuk for the ingenious revolving set that adapted for each character; Phil Slade’s sometimes-almost-subliminal soundscape; Daniel Anderson and David Walters for clever lighting; and all other creatives on this artistic success. It’s an entertainment knockout!

Jay McKee

PREVIEW AND BUY THE SCRIPT HERE.