Superb Tribute To A Former PM: Julia ~ State Theatre Company ~ Review

[THEATRE – Aus, SA Premiere]

Julia
State Theatre Company
Dunstan Playhouse
Mon 19 Aug 2024

Justine Clark slips seamlessly between the roles of narrator and Julia Gillard in this superb production. Likewise with the range of accents, from those of Gillard’s Welsh background through to imitating the scathing attacks she copped from all sides. She renders male roles redundant by expertly bringing some of the men around her to life. With just a twitch of a few facial muscles, her portrayal of Tony Abbott’s smirk had the audience in stitches every time.

Julia Gillard’s youth and her formation as a feminist are well sketched, showing her developing determination to stand up for fairness, values instilled by her parents and the working class culture of Welsh miners. Her debating skills were nurtured at Unley High School, and became a platform to air her ideals. Her journey through being deputy prime minister and on into the top job is crisply crafted, with ample dashes of humour. Filling the void created by the ego-driven, media-chasing Kevin Rudd thrusts her into taking charge and showcased her leadership abilities.

Reflections on the use of power in politics pepper the play, as well as the internal struggles Ms Gillard may have grappled with. Such as how to live an ordinary life when you are in an extra-ordinary position. And how to accept the truth that the bastards and bullies often do win.

What she had to endure is clear and documented: the constant sexism from the shock jocks, the media, and the opposition, not to mention the public on social media. Even Germain Greer piped in on national TV with a grossly demeaning comment.

Despite bearing this barrage of insults daily, Ms Gillard managed to achieve more than any previous prime minister. Her focus on pragmatism and her finely honed negotiating skills, her unerring dedication to a fair go for all, and her commitment to not being silenced somehow gave her the strength of will to carry on.

The masterful direction by Sarah Goodes together with the brilliant writing by Joanna Murray-Smith create an inexorable momentum that carries us beyond the boundaries of time to the thrilling climax. The set design, lighting and music are all deceptively simple, combining beautifully to support Clark’s dynamic solo performance. The bare walls transform into windows, screens and mirrors to reflect the myriad worlds Ms Gillard must navigate.

The clever use of Jessica Bentley in an amazing multiplicity of minor roles belied her seemingly passive support. She acted as Julia’s shadow – her younger, ideal-filled self, as her friend and colleague, as well as representing the sea of staff surrounding the PM. Speaking only at the end, she reminds us of the countless young women who climb on Ms Gillard’s shoulders.

This play does not shy away from reminding us that compromises are part and parcel of politics. Party pressures made Ms Gillard dilute some of her hard-won policies, and appear to weaken her values. But she single-handedly unravelled the threads of parliamentary privilege and rewove the yarn, or to be precise, knitted those strands into her own planned pattern. This is a fitting tribute to her unique contribution. If ‘politics is persuasion’, then this show should persuade the most doubtful to embrace such stories. They deserve to be told and re-told, again and again.

5 Stars

David Cronin

Julia continues at The Dunstan Playhouse at various times until Sat Aug 31.  Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

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