Written by Alma de
Groen
Directed by Liz
Bradley
Canberra REP at
Theatre 3 to 21 September
Reviewed by Len Power
6 September 2019
Considered by some to be Alma de Groen’s masterpiece, ‘The
Woman In the Window’ is a clever and absorbing 1998 play that has been given a
fine production at Canberra REP.
Set in both Leningrad, Russia, in the 1950s and an imaginary
dystopian Australia of the future, the play focusses on two women in very
different worlds who struggle against authoritarian regimes. The Russian poet, Anna Akhmatova, is now forbidden
to write by the Communists and her spirited resistance costs her dearly. In a future Australian society, Rachel
Sekerov lives in a world devoid of art and humanity. Her dangerous search for fulfilment mirrors
Anna’s experience in Russia.
Liz Bradley, the director, has achieved fine performances
from her cast. As the poet, Anna Akhmatova,
Karen Vickery gives a performance of great depth, inhabiting her character
completely. As Rachel, the vulnerable girl
in the future, Zoe Swan displays her character’s struggle and the search for
meaning in her life in a very fine performance.
Lainie Hart is excellent as the fiercely loyal companion to Anna Akhmatova. Performances by everyone else in the cast are
richly detailed and effective.
The accents of the Russian characters were believable and
clearly understood. There was a lot of
detail to be absorbed about these two very different worlds and characters and
the deliberate pace set by the director was just right.
The two worlds were clearly depicted on a clever, composite
setting designed by Michael Sparks. Anna
Senior’s 1950s unglamorous costumes for the Russian characters were very well
designed and the costumes of the future were simple and believable. The complex lighting plot by Chris Ellyard
and sound design by Neville Pye added a great deal of atmosphere to the
production.
While we are looking at worlds of the past and the future,
this play sounds a warning for us here in the present. When you think about it - as you will while
watching the play - you’ll realize we’re not so very far away from the worlds that
are depicted.
Liz Bradley’s production of Alma de Groen’s ‘The Woman In
The Window’ is quietly unsettling, funny at times and thoroughly
entertaining. It’s a winner in every
aspect.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.