5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE - Everyman Theatre - ACT Hub.

Meaghan Stewart - Crystal Mahon - Steph Roberts - Sian Harrington - Ylaria Rogers in 
"5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche"

5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE – Everyman Theatre – ACT Hub.

Written by Evan Linder and Andrew Hopgood – Directed by Jarrad West

Assistant Director: Jo Zaharias – Lighting and Sound Design: Nikki Fitzgerald

Set Design: Jarrad West – Costume Design: Fiona Leach

Presented by Everyman Theatre – ACT Hub – July 17^th – August 1^st, 2026.

Opening night performance on 17^th August reviewed by BILL STEPHENS

Madam President having a moment - Crystal Mahon and Meaghan Stewart

 

(Q) What happens when five of Canberra’s most accomplished actresses are let loose on a play bearing the provocative title of “5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche” under the direction of the city’s most prolific director of queer theatre? 

(A) A night of zany, hysterically funny theatre from which its audience leave the theatre exhausted from laughter. That’s what!

Everyman Theatre has again hit the jackpot with this wonderfully silly play in which the entire audience becomes attendees at the 1956 annual quiche breakfast hosted by the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein.

Yes guys, this means you too, because in the interests of inclusivity, both males and females in the audience are provided with stickers bearing female names, making them honorary lesbians for the night.

 Conducting the event from the head table is the President of the society, Lulie Stanwyck (Crystal Mahon) who rules with an iron fist coated with an excess of charm.

Lulie is flanked by her events co-ordinator, Wren Robin (Steph Roberts), obviously aspiring to be Lulie’s successor; the society secretary, Ginny Cadbury (Sian Harrington) firmly under the thumb of Lulie; Dale Prist (Ylaria Rogers), the society historian; and Vern Schultz (Meaghan Stewart) the Buildings and Grounds Chairman. All of whom are competing for the honour of producing the best quiche. 

Sian Harrington demonstrating how to eat a Quiche
Ylaria Rogers - Sian Harrington - Crystal Mahon -Steph Roberts - Meaghan Stewart

Also present in the audience is the unfortunate previous society Chairperson, on whom the audience is encouraged to heap its disdain in support of the new regime’s efforts to make clear that changes are being made, as well as participate in the society’s rituals.  

To give too much away would spoil the surprises. Suffice to say, subtlety has no place in this production. The acting is gloriously over-the-top, as is West’s confident direction which ensures that the chaotic, brilliantly staged, slapstick scenes never get out of hand, and that each member of the ensemble cast gets a moment to shine.

Steph Roberts - Meaghan Stewart

A particular pleasure of this production is watching how each actor plays those moments for real with brilliant comedy acting, while supporting and playing off her colleagues, referenced by just two of those moments; Sian Harrington’s hilarious demonstration of how to relish a quiche, and Ylaria Rogers’ masterful monologue about a childhood trauma.

Yalaria Roberts with a painting of the founder of the Susan B. Anthony Society for The Sisters of Gertrude Stein

Jarrad West’s imaginative setting draped in American flag bunting, together with Fiona Leach’s colourful 50’s costumes, provide a perfect environment for the madcap antics of this accomplished cast who ensure that this production is guaranteed not only to raise your spirits, but is also one you’d be mad to miss.

   

                                                       Photos by Janelle McMenamin

This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW. Link - 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche - Everyman Theatre