Alan Ball’s witty play was presented by the lesbian director, Deb Jones.
Sydney’s Act IV Theatre Company – women who want to make theatre for women – emerges into the indie theatre scene with Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, by True Blood creator and Six Feet Under writer Alan Ball. Intimate, moving and sparkling with sarcasm and wit, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress opens on 28 October upstairs at Sydney’s Tap Gallery for one week only.
Director Deb Jones is a lesbian theatre teacher, actor and director and the actress playing the character of Mindy in the play is a great young lesbian actress! The play is an irreverent and bitingly witty look at the intricacies of friendship and the brutal truths it forces us to face.
“A wonderfully entertaining play.” —NY Post.
“A fresh-as-a-daisy comedy, funny as can be…” —NY Daily News.
“Ball has the comic writer’s requisite talent for dialogue that ricochets snappily around the stage.” —TheaterWeek.
During an ostentatious wedding reception at a Knoxville, Tennessee estate, five reluctant, identically-clad bridesmaids take refuge in an upstairs bedroom, each with her own reason to avoid the proceedings below. As the afternoon – and alcohol – wears on, these very different women discover a common bond in this wickedly funny and touching celebration of female friendship.
Set in 1992, this show has all you would expect from a story of that era in the American South – from the over-the-top dresses, hats and hair, to debates over sexuality, religion and morality in an era coming to grips with the AIDS epidemic. They are themes Alan Ball – writer of American Beauty (winner of five Academy Awards including Best Picture) and creator of HBO’s True Blood – weaves masterfully through what on the surface appears to be a comedy.
The play is directed by Deborah Jones, with the cast including Kaitlin DeLacy, Chloe McKenzie, Eleanor Ryan, Melinda Ryan and Wendy Winkler, costume design by Gloria Bava, and set design by Tristan Carey.
Act IV is a female-run company with a passion for thought-provoking theatre, exploring and celebrating stories about being a woman.
“This may not be feminist theatre, but it certainly explores the realities of being a woman,” says Act IV producer Melinda Ryan. “We feel there are not enough great plays for women being staged and we hope to show that works with a largely female cast are wanted by Sydney audiences. We know what shows we want to watch, so it’s exciting to work together and make it happen.”
Dates: 28 October – 2 November
Times: Tues – Sat 8 pm, Sun 5 pm
Location: Tap Gallery, 278 Palmer St, Darlinghurst
