Review by Kate Gaul
In a 25-seat fringe theatre venue in the Erskineville Town Hall is a wee gem of a piece devised by Director Amelia Gilday, and performers Madison Chippendale, Lana Filies and Alicia Badger. “Hemlines” as it says on the packet – is a fresh and provocative piece of devised theatre that balances on the razor's edge between the silly and the serious. It is produced by Moon Bureau.
The audience enters and three women dressed in fabulous white frilly bloomers and matching peasant tops ritualistically weave three ribbons into a maypole-esque structure on stage. It is a calm, gracious action which creates a feeling of the carefree and private. I could have watched that all night. During the piece there is excellent movement with lanterns and retractable measuring tapes – all delightful. Dialogue ensues. It seems that these women are in a kind of limbo with time a kind of irrelevant measurement. On day or one hundred years -none of this matters. These three fates – Doris, Florence and Eleanor – are seamstresses who sew women’s garments, stitch hems, and sort haberdashery. They all have distinct personalities, desires and challenges. There’s the inevitable squabbles and conflicts which belong to a very recognisable world. There are songs.
Do they ever yearn to be free of this world? Well as in all good drama there does need to be a purpose and yes, they want out. But how? They consult a giant needle called Genny (that’s Jenny with a G) who is a kind of oracle. They are tempted through the eye of a needle. Essentially, “Hemlines” is asking whether we have power to change the course of a myriad of forces that shape us. Additionally, what are the threads that bind us together?
Madison Chippendale brings a gloriously wistful quality to the work. As a performer she has real mystery. The writing is OK, but her personal quality and the final speech gave “Hemlines” a real charge and a call to action: “Atlas with the world on his shoulders, he gets all the glory. What about us? No one ever talks about Eleanor’s impeccable seams. We’re just supposed to take pride in a job well done. I suppose we do; take pride. In our work, in each other. Though I’d never say it out loud. But I am proud of their work. Even Floss. Sometimes.
… Do you ever feel like your entire self is tied up in what you do? That you don’t know who you are when everything is torn away? I’ve been doing this job for as long as I can remember but today’s the first time I’m going to change the pattern.”
Alicia Badger has authority and a clarity onstage and provides a consistent core to the work. All beautifully working as a foil to Lana Filles bubbly chaotic energy. Let’s face it there needs to be grit in the oyster to make a pearl.
“Hemlines” is an imaginative, lively and enigmatic addition to the Sydney Fringe program. The team of emerging artists behind it promise great things ahead. So get down to the Sharehouse and see them and you can say you saw them when…..
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