Phoebe Bakker
In an exploration through time we find our selves slap bang in the middle of the promise of a fresh start for three women across three decades. Girlhood is a conceptual experience exploring the themes of girlhood from the respective parents point of view and a want to break the cycle.
We begin with each of the women facing the audience on new years eve but instead of enjoying the parties they find themselves at, a question for the future lingers in their minds, separating them from the other party guests. Want for a baby, being pregnant at a young age, and am I open to the possibility to ever even having a baby. The connection between each other is ambiguous, but the common thread that brings them close together is painfully clear: Make sure we do a better job than our mother.
As the play hurtles forward we are introduced to the significant differences and attitudes that surround the decade that they are in, explored most significantly through their attitude towards children. Within the 70’s there’s a stronger want and joy for the concept of children but by present day that has almost been written out. The script allows for some really poignant conversations to take place like the responsibility of children and how that falls to us as mothers, especially in the presence, or lack there of, a partner. I especially enjoyed how this was explored in the present day as it feels now more than ever a very important and complicated conversation to have. The actors navigated this conversation with a delectable skilful nuance.
A consequence of the writing so proficient is that at points it does feel over explained or too articulate given that some of the relationships that are explored are quite fresh, with the exception of the modern day couple. There is such a strong message being upheld in the modern day that it feels less imperative to have the strength of those points being made across the board and would have been really interesting to see the opposite end to that.
The execution of stage craft in how we are presented the narrative voice is gorgeous. We have three different decades that we’re playing with here and the juggling act between the three is key to the shows success. We’re allowed time to settle in, enjoy the conventions of that decade, from the clothes to the hair, to the attitude before we see the stage twist and turn with its actors. They weave their way through each other, each decade merging and separating, dance like, united by this theme of children and motherhood. How it defines them how it separates them. Truly fascinating and beautiful to watch. We can see how they are similar, where their frustrations lie with their own mother and where their convictions allow them to change the scenes taking the stage for their turn. The direction is sharp, precise and leaves no room for errors.
If you’re looking for a really easy watch, with a strong heart and lyricism then Girlhood is the perfect watch for you.
Recommended drink: Prosecco for that new year pop!
You can catch Girlhood until the 17th at Greenside @ Riddles Court at 18:30 Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Jake Mace
