Disorderly Women

Disorderly Women, a superbly crafted musical theatre show, explores the lives and times of four convict women who were sentenced and transported to Sydney Cove, one year after the First Fleet on the only all-female convict ship, the Lady Juliana, arriving in 1789.

Gillian Sealby has written clever and witty character studies, exploring the disreputable lives of convict women and their renowned solicitous shenanigans on board the ship, on shore at ports en route to Botany Bay. There were 226 convicted female felons transported, during an era in English history when Prison Hulks were appalling and overcrowded. These (so called) foul, immoral and villainous women were spared the death sentence at Newgate Prison and expelled from English shores forever.

The cast and musicians band perform a fabulous collection of convict-like ditties - songs, dance and music highlighting the colourful stories from four different women. The Red Right Hand of Mrs Barnsley, known as the ‘Queen of Shoplifters’, who came from a family of Highwaymen, was performed with stern defiance by Ruby Knight. She and gained leadership among the female convicts.

Jessica Neilsen Carreno, a superb songstress, exudes a sassy-saucy flair when telling her story based on Elizabeth Sully, known as Mother Sully, who was orphaned at a young age, and grew up on the streets of London learning all the dirty tricks to survive. Liz set up shop prostituting girls as young as thirteen and was later arrested for theft. Sounding like a character from a Dickens novel, she might have known the likes of an Artful Dodger or a Fagan type from Oliver Twist (1838), though noting the timeline - she was way ahead of her time.

The Lady Juliana stopped at three ports to stock up on provisions, taking twelve months to get to Botany Bay because of the considerable time spent in Rio. Sarah Roberts, characterised, so eloquently by Luis Robertson, transported for stealing a measly piece of calico, was only fifteen (and one of the youngest). She gave birth to her illegitimate baby in Rio as did many other female convicts.

Cora Browne gives an impeccably honest and robust rendition of Nelly Kerwin, who was a businesswoman and a forger, sentenced for counterfeiting and was to be hung; leniency led her to bejng transported. Her heart full of sorrow, forever mourning for her children that she left behind, billowed a heavy sadness that resided in her heart and soul as she ached for the evergreen pastures of her beloved England.

Musicians accompanying the performers include writer-director and songstress Gillian Sealby, Tina Ayris on accordion and the two males, John Robertson who strikes with mean authority as the ship’s Captain and John Bunce, guitarist and playng the role of the dutiful head sailor on board.

Shealby and her collaborative team of creatives have introduced these memorable historical characters into musical theatre. This show is not only hilariously entertaining, but also educational and all so very, very true.

A great show!

Flora Georgiou