BOMBSHELLS

 

Written by Joanna Murray-Smith

Directed by Jordan Best

Echo Theatre Production

Q Theatre, Queanbeyan to 27 July

 

Reviewed by Len Power 18 July 2024

 

Written in 2001 by Joanna Murray-Smith, ‘Bombshells’ was a set of six monologues which were played in the original production by one actress. Echo Theatre’s production gives six local actresses the opportunity to play one monologue each.

Showing the characters and inner thoughts of these women hanging in and striving for happiness in situations they find themselves in at different times of their lives, it adds up to a celebration of all women.

 

Amy Kowalczuk as Meryl, the mother

All six women give strong, thoughtful performances. Amy Kowalczuk’s exhausted mother feels guilty as she struggles to cope with her family’s needs and Kate Harris makes a speech at a cacti preservation club when her personal doubts and fears overtake her. Sally Taylor is an intense teenager desperate to win a school talent show and Ella Buckley begins to have doubts about her future on her wedding day. Alice Ferguson, a widow, suffocated by her dull life after losing her husband, confesses to an unexpected encounter and Lainie Hart is a visiting Cabaret star who is not as happy as she appears to her adoring public.

Ella Buckley as Theresa, the bride

Director, Jordan Best, gives each actress the opportunity to shine, ensuring the levels of character and emotion remain believable throughout. All six actresses remain on stage as each monologue is played. In the transitions between monologues, it was a nice touch to keep us aware of them as if their lives are continuing silently while the show progresses. Jacob Aquilina’s clever lighting design is particularly effective in these transitions.

The stage has six acting zones for each of the characters and Roz Hall’s effective set design gives us an insight into each of them. The clever costume designs by Jens Nordstrom match the characters of these women very well.

Each of the monologues are lengthy and often intense. It all felt a bit of a marathon being played in one act of over 100 minutes and an interval would have helped.

Although written in 2001, the theme of the show still holds true today even if some of the references have dated. This is an entertaining, witty and fun evening with a group of very interesting women.

 

Photos by Photox Photography

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.