I’m With Her
Trish Madigan was one of the nine women featured when, Darlinghurst Theatre Company ran its world premiere of the landmark production – I’m With Her. Directed by Victoria Midwinter Pitt.
I’m With Her is a compelling collection of real-life stories from remarkable Australian women. From bartenders and Prime Ministers, to world champion athletes and nuns, these are stories of resilience and resistance in the age of #MeToo and #Time’sUp.
Review – I’m With Her
Darlinghurst Theatre Company
By Harriet Cunningham, Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 2019
It’s a brave and beautiful show…..it is also by turns very funny and very moving. This is partly due to the irresistible power of the words, but also due to the five actors who inhabit their characters with fluent authenticity.
Emily Havea is arch and honest as Nikki Keating, dealing with the gropy customers and tone deaf managers of the hospitality industry. Shakira Clanton voices the indefatigable surfer Pam Burridge and a towering Prof Marcia Langton AM, while Gabrielle Chan gives resistance a quiet persistence through the words of Sister Patricia Madigan PhD.
Lynette Curran gives us a defiant Julie Bates AO, and Dr Marion Blackwell speaking of her battles to become a scientist. Deborah Galanos rattles the walls with the searing testimony of counter terrorism expert and federal MP the Hon Dr Anne Aly. As an ensemble, they are touchingly supportive of each other, chipping in with questions and reactions in a meaningful counterpoint.
I’m With Her is much more than just another “carousel of trauma”, and I’m not going to give it five stars. I’m not giving it any, in fact, because you don’t give a star rating to testimony. You sit down and listen.
The Official Opening Night of I’m With Her was an amazing experience. I met Pam Burridge, Nikki Keating, Julie Bates, and Marion Blackwell who were also able to be present. At the end of the performance, the women whose stories were told were welcomed onto the stage and presented with flowers, and together with all the cast and crew we received a standing ovation.