Melbourne Theatre Company – ‘Julia’
ABOUT THE SHOW
The famous ‘Misogyny speech’ lasted 15 minutes but the ripples that Julia Gillard has created from that speech are still felt a decade later. Her youth was spent as an optimistic advocate for change through to the cruel and punishing attacks that she received whist growing into power. Julia represents a lot more than the individual who became Australia’s first female prime minister. It is a portrait of us, right now.
Written by Joanna Murray-Smith (Nightfall) and directed by Sarah Goodes (Who’s afraid of Virginia Wolf?) Julia stars Justine Clarke (Playschool, Home and Away) and Jessica Bentley (A Streetcar Named Desire).
Julia has now arrived in the town Prime Minister Gillard called home throughout her political term, in a period where women’s rights around the world are under threats new and old, to ask how far we’ve come.
This play is a fictional imagining by the playwright, of true events in the life of Julia Gillard. It combines references to true events, extracts from published works, interviews, fictitious commentary and opinions which the playwright and the producers believe to be honestly held. Ms Gillard has not endorsed or read, nor had any artistic input into the production of this play.
I had the pleasure of viewing this production and participating in a Q & A with the cast and I was surprisingly moved. I have never had an interest in politics and was not sure I would enjoy this however I found it funny, emotional and informative without politics overruling. If you have the chance to see this, you won’t regret it.
Tickets are selling fast so make sure you get them quickly HERE!
Shae Neal - Year 11
Melbourne Theatre Company Ambassador